34 THE RUFFED GROUSE /A THE MARCH OF TIME 



Peters"" on the races of the ruffed grouse. At Brunswick. Maine, extensive field observations, 

 some all day and night, were made on every detail of their nesting life from the time the nest 

 was made until the young left it so that a fairly complete picture of nesting behavior was 

 obtained. 



Thus was gathered a large amount of data on the general habits, fall food, and the inci- 

 dence and distribution of diseases of the ruffed grouse. When in 1927, agitation arose for 

 a comprehensive study of all the factors affecting grouse abundance, the work of both com- 

 mittees provided an invaluable background. 



INITIATION OF THE PRESENT INVESTIGATION 



One of the faults of many studies is that others working in the same field are not kept 

 abreast of the results. It is small wonder, therefore, that a group of worried sportsmen, under 

 the guidance of George A. Lawyer of Watertown, following the closed seasons of 1927-28 in 

 New York State, met in Albany the following year to "do something" about the disappearing 

 grouse. Called in to advise, Dr. Allen outlined the results of his studies and pointed out that 

 progress must, of necessity, be slow. Discussion disclosed the need for inclusive research on 

 most of the factors on which the abundance of grouse depends, and on a scale larger and 

 better integrated than ever before. 



It was then recommended that a research program be inaugurated on Connecticut Hill, a 

 tract of submarginal hilltop land recently acquired by the State for a grouse refuge, and 

 that Gardiner Bump, who, as one of Dr. Allen's graduate students, had recently mapped the 

 game habitats, studied the requirements of the bird and set up a suggested management plan 

 for the area, be charged with organizing and directing an intensive and inclusive investigation. 

 At the request of the organized sportsmen and backed by Alexander MacDonald. then Con- 

 servation Commissioner of New York State, the 1929 Legislature appropriated $10,000 to 

 initiate this work. 



Thus came into being the present Investigation, of whose subsequent activities spread over 

 a period of 13 years, this is a report. 



