252 



GENERAL HABITS 



Mobility 



Since time immemorial, the flight of birds has captured man's imagination. The grouse is 

 no exception. The characteristic explosive flight of this feathered "bombshell" is familiar to 

 all who travel our northern woodlands. 



Walking 



Nevertheless, the grouse, when undisturbed, does a considerable amount of walking about 

 over the forest floor. During the warmer months, the greater part of its feeding is done in 

 this manner, especially that of the female and her brood. But. even in winter, it is common 

 to find their tracks in the snow, frequently extending for several hundred feet. In this con- 



<-rg 



Aaa H, Smith 



TRACK OF RUFFED GROUSE IN SNOW 



nection, a comment of the editor of Forest and Stream'" is interesting*: 



"One reason why the ruffed grouse are increasing ... is because they are not snared 

 as much as they were in former years. Four years ago every piece of 'scrub oak', and 

 every swamp or alder thicket had its 'hedgerows' running through it. During the fall 

 and winter, the ruffed grouse travel from one piece of woods to another; if a 'hedgerow' 

 runs across an entire wood, every grouse will be caught in one of its snares while 

 passing." 



Swimming 



That grouse also can swim when necessary is reported by several observers including For- 

 bush"". One of these''" estimated the progress of a bird in ihe water to be nearly as rapid 

 as that of a duck. 



Flyinp 



While it often springs directly liom the ground into the air, or mounts a stump or other 



* The lenD **bedgerow" io Ihe following quoteltoQ wu applied to the bruih barrier! at openinfe in which the anarea were placed. 



