SUMMARY 37 



In grouse, body temperature was found to average 107°F., heart rate 342 beats per minute 



and breathing 63 respirations per minute, (p. 62). 

 A daily consumption of food equivalent to 78 calories was necessary for aduU grouse to 



maintain weight at a moderate environmental temperature, (p. 63). 

 Among any group of grouse there soon develops a definite order of dominance from the 



strongest to the weakest individuals. (p. 64). 

 Mating is the culmination of a l)asic behavior cycle in the two sexes each spring, (p. 65). 

 Grouse eggs are ovate in form and vary in color from milky white to cinnamon buff, often 



spotted with reddish or drab. ( p. 71 I . 



In grouse the amount of unabsorbed yolk at hatching is much smaller in proportion to the 

 body weight than in many domesticated birds, indicating they can survive only a relatively 

 short time without food. ( |). 76). 



Feather growlli and replacement follow an orderK and regular sequence, (p. 78). 



The degree of development among the flight featlicrs furnishes a convenient index to the age 

 of young grouse from hatching to maturity at lo to 20 weeks. Similarly the character 

 of the first two primaries affords a means of distinguishing birds of the year from 

 older birds in the fall. (p. 84). 



Weight is affected by the physiological condition of the bird as well as by environmental 

 influences such as shelter, food and weather which vary between regions, years and sea- 

 sons. I p. 90 ). 



Average fall weights for grouse in New York Slate run about 1 lb. 7 oz. for males, and 1 lb. 

 5 oz. for females, (p. 91). 



A rough yardstick of health, fall weights below about a pound for males and 11 ounces for 

 females usuall\ indicate a crilical condition. (p. 97). 



Adult birds average al>oul 17 iiiclio in Icnglli anil ha\c a wing-s])rcad of sotuc 23 inches, 

 (p. 98). 



Grouse feeding habits are largely neutral from an economic standpoint, but their budding of 

 fruit trees has, in some sections, been serious enough to result in bounties in at least two 

 states, (p. 102). 



As a game species the grouse is an ini|)(irtant economic asset, both financially and recrea- 

 tionally. (p. 103). 



Inherently endowed with a ■"bnmp of curiosity", the human animal has been interested 

 in other forms of life about him simc long before the dawn of history. As one expression 

 of this interest. primiti\e man drew pictures of familiar species, or carved images of them, 

 to decorate his caves, lodges and implements. 



Crude at first, his skill constantly developed and, with it. a desire for more than mere 

 reproduction of the form of the creatures he encountered. Consequently, students have care- 

 fully described their appearance and probed their anatomy, plotted their occurrence over the 



