150 COVER CHARACTERISTICS A.\D SHELTER REQUIREMENTS 



among the less desirable for inclusion or development in a grouse management area. The 

 only sure way to answer such questions is to check carefully each such situation by way of 

 finding out just how important it may really be. 



In considering the effect, complicated as it is, of these influences upon grouse, one must 

 remember that such items as the way a slope faces and the temperature conditions found there- 

 on, certainly are responsible in some measure for the vegetation which occurs. For instance, 

 in many parts of New York the colder north slojjes run to the beech, birch, maple, hemlock 

 type. The warmer south slopes are often covered with types such as oak and cherry which 

 are common farther south. 



One generally thinks of animals as seeking south slopes for warmth during cold weather and 

 north slopes for relief from the sun during warm periods. In table 149* we find that grouse 

 broods seem to react in a reverse manner. The use of north, east and west slopes is appar- 

 ently least on warm, greatest on cold days. Conversely, south slopes and flat lands are occu- 

 pied least on cold days, though the difference is admittedly not great. 



Thus, while this table does show interesting brood choice trends under various temperature 

 conditions, it is probable that cover types found on the slopes, rather than the exposure of 

 the slope itself, may be largely responsible therefor. Produce the proper admixture of cover, 

 and slope aspect may not be important. To do this where it does not exist, may be a costly 

 procedure. It is well to remember that, in New York, tracts containing large areas lying all 

 on one slope may be less easily made into high producing grouse units than those in which a 

 natural variation in tojjography may assist materiallv in producing naturally the variety of 

 cover grouse like. 



Wind, too, may have its effect on the degree to which grouse broods frequent various 

 slopes. While none is shunned by broods primarily because of wind conditions (table 150)^ 

 there is an indication that the birds keej) away from north and west slopes on windy days. 

 This is logical when one remembers that prevailing winds over much of New York are from 

 the west, and to a lesser extent from the north. Further developing this impression, the table 

 indicates that east slopes and flat lands may be somewhat more attractive to grouse broods 

 when strong winds are prevalent. Unfortunately, no record of wind <lircction on the partic- 

 ular days on which the data were recorded was kept. and. therefore, only the broadest gener- 

 alities are noted. 



If grouse reacted like human beings, one would expect to find more broods occupying 

 south slopes on clear days and seeking out the denser shelter of north slope cover in rainy 

 weather. Upon reference to table 151^ we find no slopes shunned by grouse broods, either 

 in fair or foul weather though there is an inclination for thcni to use north slopes more com- 

 monly on rainy days. 



To sum up. grouse broods prefer to spend most of their time in the slashings, overgrown 

 lands and second-growth hardwoods which are characterized by a diversity of vegetation. 

 Thick woods and conifers are less attractive. Ifndergrowth tyjies most used by broods are 

 ghrubs and berry bushes, young hardwoods and a "combination of types." Dense tangles are 

 less popular unless they are broken up bv trails and other small op(>nings. Cover use varies 

 with the time of day. though no type is com|)letcly shunned at any time. Weather and slope 

 influence brood distribution dej)ending on the makmip of thi' crown cover and undergrowth 

 but the effect is seldom strong. Broods lend to ;i\iiid steep slopes. 



• Spr A[ipcnilix. p. fllfi. 

 A Srp Apprntlix. |«. 816. 

 t Spc Aiiprndix, p. 817. 



