COMMON TO BOTH SEXES 273 



the opening up of the virgin forests b} early land-clearing operations, lunihering. and even 

 fire when not overly severe, created conditions decidedly more favorable for its existence. 

 When extensive areas of open land were produced, however, the grouse was. of course, ex- 

 cluded. But where even small tracts of suitable cover were left, it continued to exist even 

 within short distances of cities and the larger towns. Today it is found as a breeding bird 

 within 15' '2 miles of New York City. 



Extensive tracts of cover are not required. As noted under the discussion of Territory, farm 

 woodlots as small as 25 acres of suitably diversified cover will support grouse throughout the 

 year. Any activity, however, such as grazing, which seriously reduces the amount of under- 

 growth, tends to eliminate grouse whether the area is large or small. 



In the oil fields of southwestern New York and the adjoining portit)n of Pennsylvania, 

 grouse are quite conmion over areas where wells, pumping stations, moving cables, and pipe 

 lines are scattered throughout the woods and are contimiallv being tended by workmen. One 

 year, a nest was discovered immediately under a cable line which had been in use several hours 

 a day throughout the season and which jiroduced a loud creaking noise at each stroke. 



Perhaps the most significant recent evidence of adaplabililv is the maimer in which the 

 species has reacted to hunting by man. A stupid "fool hen" where little sought after*, it has. 

 over much of its range, developed a wariness which places it. today, among the most highlv 

 prized game birds of the continent. 



TOLERANCK OF OtHER SpECIES 



Conflict between grouse and other native birds in New ^ ork Stale fcir the occu])alion of ;i 

 given unit of environment, is negligible. In fact, it is very doubtful if such a condition ever 

 existed to a significant degree. In anv event, the species, which at one lime might have offered 

 competition, are now either absent or of very restricted distribution in the State. The wild 

 turkey is no longer present, the spruce grouse has been reduced to the verge of extinction 

 and the quail is confined largely to the extreme southeastern portion. (Competition with other 

 native woodland birds has not been important. 



Neither, so far as it has been possible to determine, is there any indication that the natural- 

 ized pheasant competes for the right to occupy individual coverts or for the necessities of life, 

 such as food. Essentially, the habitats chosen bv the two species are distinct but. where swamps 

 and woodlots are associated with the agricultural land use and mild climate required by the 

 pheasant, both may often be found in the same coverts throughout the area where their ranges 

 overlap. Nevertheless, no direct conflict between individuals has been noted. 



On the other hand, under such circumstances, the parasitic propensity of the pheasant of 

 laying its eggs in grouse nests'^ may be an important reason for the scarcity of grouse in 

 many coverts of seemingly high quality adjacent to lowland farms. 



Others have found that, where several species having similar habits do occupy the same 

 habitat, there is a tendency for the limit to their combined increase to be reached at about 

 the same level that any one might attain individually.""' Experience in 1931-32 and 1933-34, 

 with the Reeve's pheasant (liberated in grouse coverts) corroborates this conclusion. 



* See discussion of Wariness, p. 260. 

 A See Chapter VU. p. 334. 



