106 COl'ER CHARACTERISTICS A.\D SHELTER REQUIREMENTS 



Reflushes — Cover chosen in which to alight — Distance between Flush and Reflush — 

 Effect of Sex on Flight Distance — Tendency to Alight in a Tree. 



THE ROLE OF COVER COMPOSITION AND ARRANGEMENT 



THE VALUE OF EDGES 



Effect on Adult Grouse Distribution — Effect on Brood Distribution — Relation of 

 Edges to Nest Location — Variation in Importance of Edges. 



THE VALUE OF CLEAR-CUT AREAS 



^ 



SUMMARY 



No factor is more important than cover in determining grouse distribution and in influencing 

 the productivity of grouse populations, (p. 109). 



Because of the sedentary nature of the birds, a good grouse habitat must meet all food and 

 shelter requirements of the species within a relatively small area. (p. 110). 



Grouse cover is constantly changing as one type grows into the next more advanced stage. 



(p. 118). 



The outstanding grouse requirements which must be met by cover are for spring nesting 

 grounds, summer feeding areas, fall feeding grounds and winter shelter. (p. 111). 



Grouse cover is as much a reflection of the various farm and forest uses to which the land 

 has been put as the result of varying climatic, physiographic and biotic influences. 



(p. 114-11!!). 



The extent to which such crops as forage or wood products are harvested may affect the pro- 

 ductivity of a woodland for grouse quite as much as does its natural composition.! p. 118). 



The partridge finds its year-round requirements met neither in the first stages of plant succes- 

 sion associated with grasslands nor in the last or climax types of dense unbroken forest, 

 (p. 118). 



Some of the most pnidiictive grouse habitats in the State are to be found where woodlands 

 are broken u|) by farm clearings which have been abandoned and are beginning to revert, 

 (p. 116). 



Nesting cover and site exhibit certain characteristics as follows: 



Woodland types are strongly favored as nesting cover. ( |). 128). 



Of these, nests are most likely to be found in second-^Towlh hardwoods; least likely to 

 be placed among conifers, (p. 128). 



Most birds are reluctant to nest where the undergrowth is dense, (p. 128). 



Grouse prefer to nest at the base of a tree. I p. 130). 



Slope, degree or aspect, does not materiaijv iridiicin c llic rliDJcc nf a nesting site, 

 (p. 130). 



The desirabilitv of a nesting site varies in\ersel\ with its distance from an opening, 

 (p. 134).' 



