ACKNOWLEDGMENT:^ 



being vvt-ll (Umw. Id llicni the aiitliors owe a deep personal debt of gratitude. We have !iot 

 met their equal ii] niatn a da). 



Particular apprei iatiDii is due to Mary K. Thornton who carried on most of the immense 

 task of examiiiiiijr the literature as a basis for compilinfr the bibliography, but who unfor- 

 tunately met wilh a fatal accident before the work was lompleted. In this coimection we wish 

 to thank the staff of the New York State Librar\. as well as those of the libraries of New 

 York City. Cornell I'liiversitN and the American Museum of Natural Histor\ for their co- 

 o|)eratioii in locating references. 



Few wildlife species have been subject to more stud) than has the ruffed grouse. Vie feel 

 deeply obligated to those who have gone before us for their exploration and delineation 

 of the problem. Outstanding, perhaps, was the American Game Protective Association, whir h 

 has fostered grouse research since its organization in 1912. 



Beyond these, a number of individuals have contributed generous!) from their experience: 

 have been instrumental in providing facilities for special projects; or have given substantial 

 help in connection with the preparation of the manuscript. Among these may he mentioned 

 J. B. Rurnham. F. C. W'alcott. C. E. Ladd. A. 0. Gross. \^'. L. McAtee. Aldo Leopold. J. C. 

 Phillips. K. T. Frederick. (J. M. Allen. E. L. Brunetl. E. K. Burckmyer. Clarence (;ottam ami 

 .Ario Pardee. 



Likewise, helpful advice and data have been funushed by the Conservation Departments 

 of Massachusetts. Michigan. Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, by Cornell University, 

 the Massachusetts Fish and Game Protective Association. L'. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 

 the U. S. Bureau of Animal Industr). 



Material aid, largel) in the form of labor and materials, has been ct>nlribule(l by the Civil- 

 ian Conservation Corps. Works Progress Administration and State Temporary Emergenc) 

 Relief Administration. 



For special aid witli Icdmical problems, the authors are also indebted to the following: 



Fur idciitiliialiori and inter|)relation of food habits material: H. ('•. Harbci. Paul Bartsch, 

 \\ . .1. (!haml)crlain. Adrian Fox, A. B. Gurney. \\ . J. Hamilton Jr.. Carl Ibinrii li. F. J. 

 Hermann. 11. I). House. J. E. Morrison and W. C. Muenscher. as well as tin- cnlirc stall 

 .pf the FikmI Habits SeitioM of the Fish and Wildlife Service. 



For identification (if parasites: J. C. BiMjuarl, F.. B. ("ram. M. (". Jones. Robert Matheson. 

 R. R. Parker an.l F. E. Wcln. 



Vav data lorKcrning tlic raiig<' i>f tlii' sjiccics: Rudolph Bemiitt. B. W . (!artw right. C. II. 

 D. Clarke. R. T. King, H. F. Lewis, j. A. Munro. D. 1. Rasmussen. William Rowan. J. I). 

 Soper and L. L. .Snvder, as well as the many reprefentatives of state, provincial and ter- 

 ritorial garni' administrations tlirouglioul the region involved. 



Fur ln-l|i in -lali-licalK aiiaUziiig llic data gallicred: C. McC. \lolllc\. 



linalh. ihc autlmrs wish lu |ia\ Iribulc to one who. mcirc ihan am ullicr. has served as 

 ciiunsellor throughout the Investigation — Ur. A. A. Allen of Cornell L'niversity. Deeply in- 

 terested in grouse himself, he has been associated with every important study of the species 

 in the Northeast during the past quarter-centur) . His pioneer attempts to rear grouse in 

 captivity have earned him the a|)pellation "dean of grouse breeders." From such a back- 

 irround. he has constantiv "ivcn ;idvicc and cnconragement to ns. his former students. 



