FOREWORD 



This story of the ruSed grouse in New York, based primarily on the Ruffed Grouse Investi- 

 gation, will, I believe, make a permanent and important niche for itself in the nation's 

 wildlife literature. 



The Investigation was a unique undertaking in wildlife research. \\ hen it was initiated 16 

 years ago, in 1930, wildlife research was in its infancy — even as today it is still in its youth. 

 It started with a handful of young workers struggling with untested techniques to uncover 

 some of Nature's secrets, and grew into a highl) developed group of specialized scientists. In 

 miniature, it portrays the rajiid changes which have taken place in this important field in 

 our time. 



The Investigation is noteworthy in a number of respects. It represents the most sustained 

 and comprehensive effort e\er made to study any one form of American wildlife. It follows 

 that it required the largest investment ever made in the investigation of a single species. 



In addition to providing a myriad of facts and figures relative to the ruffed grouse, which 

 the reader will find pleasant to explore for himself, the Investigation has had a number of 

 valuable by-products. These include the development of wildlife techniques, practices and 

 policies from the application of which the State has already been a substantial beneficiary. 

 Probably one of the most valuable by-products has come from the employment of the Inves- 

 tigation as a training ground for young wildlife workers. Innumerable students at Cornell 

 and a number of employees of the Department cut their teeth on one or more of the many 

 phases of this study. In the ensuing years, many of these young men have grown up to take 

 over positions of high responsibility in our own Department, in the Conservation Departments 

 of other states and in the Federal conservation agencies. 



When I took oflice, the laboratory and field work upon which this book is based had largely 

 been concluded for some time. Although publication didiculties arising during the war still 

 continue. 1 feel that the sportsmen of the State, who have contributed a large sum from 

 their Conservation Fund to finance this Investigation over the years, are entitled to a direct 

 and long overdue return on their investment in the form of this book. Likewise. I feel that 

 New York has a moral obligation to hundreds of other wildlife workers scattered throughout 

 the country to make available to them the findings which had been so long accumulating. 

 Consequently. I deemed it mv duty to take the necessary steps to provide this publication 

 without further delay. 



Every effort has been made to make the book as factual, sound and useful as possible — to 

 all who have an interest in the ruffed grouse. I take this occasion to congratulate the authors 

 of the book, and the numerous unidentified workers who have assisted them, both in the Inves- 

 tigation and in the preparation of the manuscript. 



