286 



GENERAL HABITS 



stumps. Someliines quite unusual sites are chosen. One nest was found inside a large stump, 

 the interior of which had rotted out in such a way that entrance was possible through an old 

 axe cut on the side while the top surface was still intact. Several have been fciund under large 



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5? ri^-i^;^-: 



THE NE.ST OF A RUKKKD GROIISK IS MERELY A CUP-SHAPED DEPRESSION AMONG THE LEAVES OF 



THE FOREST FLOOR 



pieces of bark which formed roofs over them. Nothing, however, has been observed to support 

 the suggestion of Samuels™ that, if persistently molested, the grouse will utilize the abandoned 

 nest of a crow. 



The immediate site of the nest is dften remarkably exposed, the i)ird a|)parently relying to 

 a great extent on her protecti\c coloration. Some, however, are in rather thick situations 

 among sprouts, bushes or brush, but. in such cases, usually have an easy avenue of escape. 



No instance has been recorded in which the same specific site has been used more than 

 once. 



Habits During Laying and Incubation 



While laying her eggs, the female grouse spends a minimum amount of time at her nest. 

 Observations, corroborated by records ])erlaining to captive birds at the Research Center, in- 

 dicate that, on the average, egg-laying proceeds at the rate of two eggs every three days. Thus, 

 approximately 17 days are consumed in laying an average clutch of 11 eggs. 



