l.iO COIKR CHARACTERISTICS AM) SHELTER Ri:(JUREME\TS 



It all serves to strengthen the idea that grouse prefer a rather open cover in which to nest. 

 The word preference is used advisedly for here there seems to be a clear example of the 

 exercise of choice by the birds. Certainly the undergrowth densities selected were not those 

 most coniinoiih found either in overgrown lands, in slashings or in mature woodlands. 



Sites Preferred as I^est Locations 



The o])inion generally held that grouse are more likely to nest at the base of a tree or stump 

 is borne out by an inspection of table 123*. Of the two sites, the base of a tree was chosen b\ 

 599 (51.7 per cent), whereas the next most attractive location, the base of a stump, was chosen 

 by but 175 115.1 per cent). Nearly as many, 158 (13.6 per cent), located their nests under a 

 pile or tangle of dead brush. The only other site coninionlv utilized was beside or tinder a log, 

 where 120 nests ( 10.4 per cent) were found. 



Neither rock ledges nor clumps of bushes were |>arti(ularl\ poiJular although both were 

 utilized. Interestingly enough, seven nests were found in c;Mties in stumps or in semi-roofed- 

 over depressions on steep banks. Three were even located in oi)en fields with only such small 

 shrubs as low-bush blueberry for jjrotection. 



A study of the sites chosen again bears out the conclusion that dense cover around the nest 

 is seldom desired. Because of the concealing coloration and habits of the bird ])reviously re- 

 ferred to, attention was called to most nests only when the female flushed. 



No difference was observed in the readiness with which a bird would flush from nests 

 found in dense cover as compared with nests located in the open. 



Nest Location in Relation to Degree of Slope 



Since an entire grouse covert may. upon occasion, lie largely on but one slope, there 

 does not always exist an opporlunitv for birds to choose a particular degree of slope. The 

 same ajiplies with regard to the direction it faces, technically called aspect. For this reason, 

 in analyzing table 124^^ any comjjarison of the number nesting on flat, gentle or steep slopes 

 is subj<'(t to reservations. It was not possible to correct the figures in accordance with the 

 proportion of each shipe available. Therefore it is best merely to indicate ihal. if occasion 

 demands, birds will nest not only on flat or gentle slopes, but on steep banks as well. Since 

 281 nests 124.9 per cent) were found on flat land as compared with 149 (13.2 per cent) on 

 steep slopes, one might conclude lliat it is the availabilit\ of the slope uitliin llie habitat, 

 rather than its steepness, which largely inlluences the number of nests found in each category. 



Where gentle slopes are available, they are much utilized as is evidenced by the finding of 

 702 nests thereon. The predominant slope on most of the areas studied, however, lies in this 

 classification. 



!\'est Location in Relation to Isjicct of Slope 



The same objection raised with the |ire\ious table is equally valid with table 125+ de- 

 scribing the location of grouse nests as influenced 1)\ t\ pe of co\er in relation lo direction 

 a slope may face. In addition, the difference in the rnunlici of nests foinul on a noitli or an 

 east slope coni|)ared with a south or a west slope is so small as to dictate llie conclusion that 

 no slope is shunned. Whatever advantage there may be is apparentK in faxor of west slopes 

 which were utilized somewhat more frequently for nesting iIkui was an\ other aspect. 



None of the four slopes were utilized as freiiucnlK for nesting as was ilal land. 



* Sec A(»|n'inlix. (t. THS. 

 A Sec AppciKlix, [I. 78(>. 

 t See Appendix, p. 787. 



