f)l THE SPEC.IES~ITS TAXOSOVY. n.4\GE. RIOLOGY. & ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 



"packs", the latter probably representing several broods or groups of iiuiividuals gathered 

 together at a particularly favorable feeding site. Likewise, throughout the late fall and winter 

 more than one bird may resort to as small an area as a cluni]) of conifers for night roosting, 

 thus bringing it into relatively close contact witli others of its kind. But it is to captivity, 

 where the birds are grouped in pens, that one must turn for examples of the social order 

 which, were we more skilled in making observations, might be recognized as also existing 

 whenever grouse congregate. 



At the end of each brooding season at the Research Center, the birds of the year, along 

 with the breeders, are placed in wintering pens where they remain as groups until the begin- 

 ning of the following breeding season. Here, as has been described with poultry" there is 

 soon established a rigid and demanding social hierarchy. In ruffed grouse, where the sexes 

 are relatively similar in appearance, the basis of this social hierarchy apparently lies, not 

 primarily in the age, sex or weight of the indi\idual birds, but rather in the vigor of the in- 

 dividual and the degree to which it is able to dominate its penmates. Success in fighting, in 

 bluff and, to a lesser extent, in display, such as strutting, rapidly establishes a definite social 

 order in which each, save for the bottom bird, exercises a dominance over its less fortunate 

 penmates. Except for the ranking bird, each is in turn dominated by its physiologically and 

 psychologically stronger companions. 



THROUGH HOHlliNU AiNU BLLKHiNG A DEFIMTE SOCIAL OKDKK IS KSTAlil.lMI KD AMONG GROUSE, 



BOTH IN THE WILD AND IN CAPTIVITY 



In captivity, serious consequences may often follow this process of establishing such social 

 rank. A bird, defeated in one or another of the frequent combats that take place, is occa- 

 sionally pursued by the victor into a corner of the pen and there pecked on the head until 

 the skull, in extreme cases, is laid bare. Once completely subjugated and without the bene- 

 fit of self-confidence, if it does not die of mechanical injury or stanation. it soon becomes 



