COMMON TO BOTH SEXES 269 



A badly vanquished bird may suffer severe wounds, chiefl) aboul the head and, unless 

 separated, may continue to be the victim of attack until it finally succumbs. Instances have 

 occurred, however, in which a bird died, not from physical injury but, apparently, from 

 a form of nervous shock brought on by its lack lA ability to resist its stronger associates. 



In the wild, complete subjugation seldom occurs because there are always retreats to which 

 a vanquished bird can fly and regain its composure. Moreover, the usual low densities of 

 population provide a minimum of provocation for resorting to fighting. Aside from the 

 breeding season, such combats take place most frequently among youngsters begimiing to 

 "feel their oats" in the late summer and fall. During the breeding season, fighting most 

 often involves males occupying adjacent drumming logs or in some way infringing on each 

 other's "alleged rights". The males of this species do not indulge in contests for the posses- 

 sion of the female as an individual. 



Instances in which fighting has been observed among wild grouse have been few and us- 

 ually in(om|)lete. On one occasion, in October, one of the authors was silling quicth on a 

 stump when two birds, one chasing the other, came running toward him. Tlie pursued bird 

 soon flew, however, so no actual fighting took place. Again, earK one fall, Sumner M. Cowden, 

 Superintendent of Fish Culture of this De|)artment. witnessed a clash involving three birds. 

 two of which were engaged in a united effort against the other, which liriaily gave way and 

 flew. This fracas lasted at least five minutes but aflcr tlic third bird Hi-w. the rcnuiining two 

 seemed to be perfectly amicable. 



An unusual situation is reported by an anonymous writer in Forest and Stream"", who des- 

 cribes a combat between two grouse on the same driiimniiig log in which the birds re|)ealedlv 

 rushed at each other from a distance of a foot or two. After several "rounds", one bird 

 retreated, jumped off the log and disai)i)cared. follow iiig which ibc ollii-r (Irummed once and 

 then also walked off. 



Roosting 



While typically a nocturnal habit, grouse often roost during the da) time. In winter, espe- 

 cially, they are fond of resorting to some protected spot where they can bask in the sun or sit 

 out a storm. High wind, in particular, causes the birds to seek shelter at any time. In sum- 

 mer, however, they roost to a much less degree during the day, although dusting may serve to 

 satisfy any desire for a siesta. 



Grouse roost both on the ground and in trees, the greatest use of the latter being made in 

 cold stormy weather. As discussed elsewhere* snow-roosting is commonlv indulged in when 

 conditions are suitable but even during the winter they frequently spend (he night beneath 

 a small conifer whose thick low-hanging branches form a sort of tepee. The shelter of a 

 stumj) or log may also be utilized. For a tree roost, a thick-topped conifer is almost invari- 

 ably chosen and birds have often been flushed from such perches as high as 50 feet from the 

 ground. Their ability to take advantage of circumstances is indicated by Forbush"' who 

 found several birds in a cave in the rocks, and Snnth" who reports a bird roosting beneath 

 an old drain pipe. 



* See Hisnissiiin nf Snow Roosting. ] 2 



