CHAPTER I 



THE RUFFED GROUSE IN THE MARCH OF TIME 



By Gardiner Bump 



somf-: hkcords of eafily observers 

 first description 

 names by which it is known 

 evidence of high esteem since early colonial times 



increase in numbers near settlers' clearings 



reduction in numbers near centers of population 



the f.ra of exploitation —market hi nt1n(; 



grouse bounties 



recognition of periods of scarcity 



a chronology of suggested causes 



attf:mpted remedies 



rise in importance as a sporting bird 



early efforts at artificial propagation 



the period of correlated research 

 initiation of tiik i'hksfnt investigation 



^ 



cw 



Whatever contributes to make our life more attractive usually finds a jjlace in history. So 

 it is that, furnishing both food and sport, the ruffed grouse has reserxed for itself a fascinating 

 niche in man's annals of the past. The larger part of the story is, of course, tucked away in 

 memories, but an astonishing amount has been more permanently preserved in written form. 



The curtain rises amid the rugged walls of the Frankstown Cave in central Pennsylvania. A 

 group of naturalists led by Alexander Wetmore are huddled around their light expertly sepa- 



