COVER REQUIREMENTS OF THE GROUSE 159 



Month Types most jrcquently used (cont'd) 



Conifers (H) 

 December Mature hardwoods and conifers (FH) 



Second-growth hardwoods and conifers (EH) 

 Older slashings (J J 



From the above, one might well gather that grouse in New York State cannot exist where 

 conifers are absent. Such is not the case. True, they are an outstanding part of most of 

 our productive coverts. But when they are absent, other types, such as spot-lumbered areas 

 (G) and older slashings, may furnish brushy tangles which serve the same purpose in pro- 

 viding escape cover and shelter. In general, however, the more severe the weather, the more 

 conifers, properly interspersed, contribute to the desirability of any grouse habitat. 



The above "design of living quarters" for adult grouse month by month is of course made 

 up from the observed preferences of the birds under New York conditions. By and large, prob- 

 ably it represents a fair cross-section of grouse cover choice throughout the Northeast. 



Types of Cover Used by Adult Grouse at Various Times of Day 



In tables 155 to 158*, one has, in effect, put a time clock on grouse movements from cover 

 to cover throughout the day. Hunters, bird lovers and research workers alike are interested in 

 finding out how these birds budget their time. 



This is no easy task, for a quick glance at the tables leaves one jiuzzled by the complexi- 

 ties of the use pattern to be unraveled. In truth much of it cannot be assembled, for few- 

 strong trends stand out even when the records are broken down, season by season. In other 

 words, there is no outstanding coticentration of birds in any one type at any particular time 

 of day. But there are some interesting seasonal use differences to be noted. 



Winter. The necessity of finding food and sheUer seems to be the controlling influence on 

 grouse movements throughout the winter day (table 155) . In the early morning, in general, 

 the birds are most likely to be found among the conifers (type Hi or the second-growth hard- 

 woods (E). The latter type often combines good budding opportunities with a chance to 

 catch the morning sun. While overgrown lands and slashings are used least of all in winter. 

 one finds a few early feeding birds in the former covers at this time. 



The most unexpected thing about early morning use is a tendency to avoid second-growth 

 hardwoods admixed with conifers (EH). The table clearly indicates that birds do not move 

 into this type in numbers until later in the day. 



By mid-morning less birds are to be found in second-growth hardwoods alone; more in 

 a mixture of these with conifers. Little change is noted in the attractiveness of overgrown 

 land and coniferous patches. 



At mid-day mixed hardwoods and conifers reach their maximum use. Birds now tend to 

 forsake the alders, popples or birch thickets (B) and to be somewhat more prevalent in the 

 older cut-over areas (J). Many still stick to the conifers though possibly in less numbers 

 than is the case earlier in the day. 



Towards late afternoon more birds may be found feeding in the overgrown lands. Sec- 

 ond-growth hardwoods and conifers (EH) likewise are attractive but relatively pure stands 



• See Appendix, p. 823 to 829. 



