108 COVER CHARACTERISTICS AND SHELTER REQUIREMENTS 



In winter the birds frequent the more heavily wooded areas particularly if conifers are 

 present, (p. 153). 



In spring the birds are still partial to woodland types. Excursions into cut-over patches 

 and overgrown lands become frequent, (p. 153). 



In summer the birds revel among the overgrown lands, cut-over areas and in the spot- 

 lumbered woods. At this season, types containing many conifers are seldom fre- 

 quented, (p. 153). 



In early fall hedgerows and brushy patches, particularly if they border on conifers, 

 draw birds like a magnet although all other types, save open land and mature hard- 

 woods, may also be frequented. As the weather becomes colder, overgrown lands and 

 cut-over areas are less used; woodland types containing conifers are more com- 

 monly patronized, (p. 153). 



While few, if any, cover types are completely avoided even for a single nmnth, the degree 

 of use varies considerably, (p. 156). 



Conifers represent the most used type for eight months out of the year but are avoided 

 in summer, (p. 157). 



The number of grouse found in any one cover type at any particular time of day varies 

 considerably with the seasons, (p. 159). 



Sunup is the best time to hunt the brushy pastures, woods' edges and cut-over areas in the 

 fall. (p. 161). 



Weather does not usually exercise a strong effect on cover use. (p. 161). 



Birds tend to move into mixed second-growth hardwoods and conifers or to heavy ever- 

 green cover when temperatures are colder than normal. Conversely on warmer than 

 normal days birds move to the more open cover types deficient in conifers, (p. 161). 



Heavy conifers and alder patches (when the leaves are present) comprise the most sought 

 out refuges on windy days. (p. 162). 



In snowy weather, birds seek coniferous cover, (p. 162). 



Rain bothers the birds but little. The more open woodlands arc tiien preferred, (p. 162). 



When snow covers the ground the birds are most apt to be found among the conifers 

 while the mature hardwood type is preferred for snow-roosting, (p. 163). 



Grouse spend most of their time on the ground at all seasons of the year, though they 

 frequently use trees for budding in the winter, (p. 163). 



Slope, degree or aspect, as such, seems to influence grouse cover choice but little. 

 (p. 164). 



Most grouse flush within 50 feet of a person. Much-hunted birds generally flush wild 

 as they do also on windy days. Females, gcnornljy. may be more closely approached 

 before flushing than males, (p. 165). 



Flushed birds normally alight in the same type of cover from which they were originally 

 started except when it is not extensive or is quite open. (p. 1661. 



Providing they do not remain in the same type of cover, wiien flushed, they tend to 

 choose certain other types in which to alight, depending on the type of cover from 

 which they were originally flushed, (p. 166). 



