296 



GENERAL HABITS 



way. they may often be in plain sight and yet be ahnost invisible, due to the blending of their 

 plumage with the sunlight and shadow of the forest floor. It is true, however, that they fre- 

 quently scuttle under a leaf or other protecting object before "freezing". 



Although this practice is chiefly characteristic of chicks before or for a short time after 

 they ha\e learned to fly. it is often utilized later in the season. Furthermore, the same 

 method is employed by older chicks at the point where they settle down after being flushed. 



While in hiding, the chicks usually remain silent for upwards of ten to 15 minutes but 

 then frequently become impatient and commence to peep so that the female, which customarih 

 remains in the vicinity, must quiet them with warning calls*. Among other chicks, the effect 

 of this sometimes wears off and continued peeping occurs. At such times, chicks have been seen 

 to leave their hiding places and start out bv themselves. Usuallv. however, the danger which 

 caused them to go into hiding passes before such a state of unrest is reached. Older chicks, 

 on the other hand, have been known to steal away, silently and unnoticed, under the very nose 

 of an observer watching for them. 



Roosting 



During the first few weeks, the chicks are usually hovered by the female at night. Experi- 

 ence with broods held in large outdoor pens offering a variety of cover indicated that it may 

 be common practice for hens to hover their chicks in the open rather than within the woods. 

 Rroods but slightlv over two weeks old. however, have been found roosting in the low 

 branches of trees and shrubs. Later, this habit becomes customary, although well advanced 

 broods frequently roost on the ground, usually in the shelter of a conifer. 



Young broods roost in very closely bunched groups but as the chicks become older and 

 more independent their association becomes progressively looser. 



Feeding Habits 



Thrfiughoul the brood period, grouse chirks spend most of their waking hours on the 

 ground. Feeding is their princijial activity although, for a lime after hatching, brooding is 

 frequent and during the latter part of the summer much time is spent dusting. 



• Sec ChnpliT M. p. >W. 



