162 COl EK CHARACTERISTICS AM) SHELTER REQIIREME.XTS 



rover typfs deficient in eonifei>. Anions; these are alders. ]K)|)]de or Lireli i)atclies (Bl, sec- 

 ond-growth hardwoods (E), mature hardwoods (F) and >()ung slashings I I). This rehi- 

 lioiiship does not hold true, however, for overgrown fields, with (C) or withoul iDi an ad- 

 mixture (if conifers. No good reason for this seeming contradiction is apparent. 



In considering the above, one should bear in mind that the designations warm, normal and 

 cold refer to the relative temperatures at the time a flush was recorded as compared with the 

 average for that time of year rather than to the actual temperature in degrees. 



Wind. It is generally believed that, on windy days, grouse often exhibit a tendency to 

 "flush wild." Certainly, in windy weather, they are more alert and nerxous than at other 

 times. One might exj)ect to find, and be surprised at not finding, upon examining table 161*. 

 the birds concentrating largely in shelter types at this time. True, coniferous clumps (H) 

 are then more likely to be used but mixed hardwoods and coniferous cover (D. EH and 

 FH) exhibit no such tendency. 



The only other covers, more attractive in windy weather, are the alder runs or stands of pop- 

 ple or birch (B). Particularly in the case of alder runs, this seems related to the generallv 

 protected locations in which they usually occur. Possibly there is also a tendency for simi- 

 larly situated portions of other types to be preferred at such times but it has not been feasible 

 to record the data covering this point in such great detail. 



The table also indicates that more birds frequent second-growth hardwoods (E) on wind- 

 less days than at other times, though the reason is not clear. Thick coniferous cover (H) 

 appears less likely to be frequented. Other types show no significant differences in use in 

 windy versus still weather, all of which leads one to surmise that wind normally exerts a 

 rather minor influence in grouse cover choice. There is, of course, the possibility that, had 

 the data been broken down according to the season of the year, greater differences might 

 have been found. 



Atmospheric C.oiuUlions. In general, sunshine, rain or snow seem not to exert any pro- 

 nounced influence on the general pattern of grouse cover choice (table 162)" except when 

 shelter is needed. During snowstorms the birds, as expected, are most likely to seek out 

 heavy coniferous cover iH). though, as with wind, this tendency does not extend to 

 mixed hardwood and coniferous cover ( D. EH and FHl. Likewise the more o|jen cover, 

 even though some conifers are present, shows a decline in use at this lime. Rallii'r curi- 

 ously none is completely shunned even in snowy weather. 



Rain apparently bothers grouse less than snow. Thus one finds at this time fewer birds 

 resorting to the more adequate protection afforded by thick coniferous stands (H); more 

 birds preferring the mixed second-growth hardwoods and coniferous cover (EH). There is 

 also a curious tendency for open fields (A) to be frequented more on rainy days. \^'hile 

 worth noting, this is of no real im])ortance since little use is made of this type at any time. 



Several of ihc more open types are used more in sumiv weather than at anv other time. 

 This is true of overgrown fields, lacking in conifers (C). spot-lumbered areas (G), mature 

 hardwoods (F) and the older slashings (J). Conversely, heavy coniferous stands (H) are tiien 

 least attractive. 



Effect oj Various Ground Condi/ions on the Clioicc of Cover h\ Adull Crouse 



Ground conditions exercise a greater effect on grouse cover choice than is generally realized 



* Sdo Appendix, p. 832. 

 A See Appendix, p. 633. 



