COVER REQUIREMENTS OF THE GROUSE 141 



The following comparison of these two tables is interesting: in that when the acreage of each 

 cover type is taken into consideration certain of them appear to be considerably more impor- 

 tant than when acreage is disregarded. 



In the first column are given, in order of importance, the preferences of the broods for the 

 various cover types without regard for the amount of each I from table 135) while in the 

 second column these choices are shown as indicated by use per acre (from table 14). 



1. Overgrown land without conifers (C) 1. Overgrown land without conifers (C) 



2. Second-growth hardwoods (E) 2. Second-growth hardwoods (E) 



3. Relatively pure stands of popple, birch 3. Relatively pure stands of popple, birch 

 or alder (B) or alder (Bl 



4. Second-growth hardwoods and conifers 4. Younger slashings (I) 

 (EH) 



5. Older slashings (J) 5. Spot-lumbered hardwoods (G) 



6. Overgrown land with conifers (D) 6. Older slashings (J) 



7. Younger slashings (I) 7. Overgrown land with conifers (D) 



Changes in Cover Use as the Brood Develops 



There are a number of interesting, though rclali\oly small differences in cover use related 

 to the age of the brood. For instance, one finds a tendency for a small number of broods 

 to seek out coniferous cover shortly after hatching but to shun it thereafter until they are 

 over six weeks of age. Brushlots, small hardwoods and slashings are particularly attractive 

 during the first two weeks. The former remain consistently used throughout the season, but 

 the cut-over areas seem to be less attractive during the period in which the brood is trying 

 out its wings (two to four weeks). In general, however, there is less shifting in brood cover 

 choice, as the birds mature, than might be antiiipatod. 



Effect of Crown Cover Density on Brood Choice 



The density of the forest canopy and the amount of herbs and grasses to be found be- 

 neath are closely related. Remembering the preference of grouse chicks for luxurious vege- 

 tation where insects, leaves and fruits are abundant and easily picked up. it is not surpris- 

 ing that broods are most likely to be found in areas where the crown cover is sparse and are 

 least likely to inhabit dense woods. Table 136 illustrating this point, will be found in the 

 Appendix, p. 802. Nor, as the broods mature, does there seem to be any substantial change in 

 choice due to the density of the crown cover. It is fortunate that the broods are so adaptable, 

 for otherwise the wildlife manager would need to encourage one type of cover for young 

 broods, another as they grow up. 



To be really accurate, as with cover type choice, one must consider the amount of sparse, 



of medium and of dense crown cover available. The comparison for the Connecticut Hill 

 study area is given below: — 



Density of cover Relative amount of cover Relative use 



Spare 3 5 



Medium SVo ^V-2 



Dense 11/2 1% 



