COVER REQUIREMENTS OF THE GROUSE 



127 



coupled with the habit of "sitting close"' when approached, makes the finding of one an event 

 to be remembered. Thus it is not surprising to find no extensive studies and but few opinions 

 expressed as to what constitutes good nesting cover. Are thickets or open spots preferred? 

 Do the birds avoid steep slopes as nest sites? Of some 39 per cent annually destroyed* are 

 those located in any one cover type or other situation most likely to be broken up? 



Such problems can seldom be solved with finality and, at best, only for the regions studied. 

 The answers here suggested are based on a study of 1,270 nest situations, yet it is certain 

 that, with constant improvement in technique and with more intensive study, others will add 

 much to the picture. They may even prove some of our interpretations wide of the mark. 

 Therein lies the fascination of wildlife research. 



It is sometimes easy to dictate results by the wa\ in wliicli one carries on an investigation. 

 Of the nests here reported on, almost half wire f<]und wliilc making the spring sur\e\s on 

 the various study areas. On these all cover types are searched for nests with equal thorough- 

 ness'^. Most of the remainder of the nests were reported by cooperators or other iiuli\iduals 

 who happened to stumble on them during the day's work. "Building fence" and "going after 

 the cows" were the most productive occupations in this respect. 



Let us then look at some of the outstanding preferences relating to nesting cover. 



Types of Cover Chosen 



The distribution of nests, according to the frequency with which each cover type is used, is 

 presented in table 121 ^ By studving it. one finds some interesting correlations. 



* Si-P Cliai.ur \ 11. |.. -111. 



A Fach area was comidclrly ruvcrrd onci' each wrck I'V thr Mir*f> iirw, Srr MfllnuU ami Trrliniijiir!. (p. 699.) 



t This and other tablca sunimarizine shelter relationship data haw been [ilareil in the .Apt'endil tteginning on p. 783. 



NEARLY HALF OK THK GROUSE NESTS IN NEW YORK STATE ARE TO BE FOUND L\ SECOND-GROWTH 



HARDWOODS (TYPE El 



