164 COVER CHARACTERISTICS A\D SHELTER REQUREME.XTS 



Table 165* was prepared to determine if this preference for the pniuiid varied according 

 to the type of cover. It is evident that this habit has held true in all t\ ])es. \^'hen tree roost- 

 ing has been resorted to, coniferous stands (type H) and mixed hardwoods and conifers 

 (EH and FH) have been most frequented because evergreen trees are usually preferred for 

 this purpose. 



Considering the few trees normally present in open lands (A), overgrown fields (B. C and 

 D) and in slashings (I and J) it is surprising to find that from 4.7 to 10.8 per cent of the 

 birds found therein were flushed from trees. Perhaps this is a reflection of the tendency for 

 some trees thus situated to fruit abundaiitlv and for the birds to seek these out in the fall. 



Influence of Slope on Adult Grouse Distribution 



Had it been shown by a study of table 166'^ that grouse are more likely to frequent one 

 slope than another at any particular time of day. birds might be more easily located. W itli 

 but one exception no such inclination is found. At midday a quarter more birds were flushed 

 from north slopes than at any other time. It is at this period that manv birds prefer to 

 rest quietly in some sheltered spot. A'orth slopes in general are rather more likelv to support 

 conifers, in the area studied, than are f)ther aspects. Evergreens furnish acceptable shelter. 

 Herein, possibly, lies an explanation. 



A question also arises as to whether or not temperature exercises an appreciable effect on 

 the number of birds frequenting any particular slope. Table 167' indicates that no aspect 

 of slope is avoided whether the temperature is warmer than usual, normal or colder. 



Though the trend is not pronounced, there is an inclination to use west slo])es more and 

 east less, on days which are warmer than normal. Likewise north and south slopes are less 

 used when the weather is colder than normal. At this time flat lands seem to be most attrac- 

 tive. The prevailing winds are from the west «n the areas studied. 



The underlying reasons for such a|)pareMt ])iefcrences arc not always easy to fathom. Yet 

 all these observations are statisti(all\ signifuanl. In other words the chances are at least I'J 

 Ic) 1 that these conclusions lune a sound basis in fact. Thus the greater use of east slopes 

 and flat lands in colder than normal weather points to the dcsirabilit\ of encouraging winter 

 shelter co\er in such situations, insofar as is practical, when drawing uj) plans for improving 

 grouse coverts. 



Summing up, good adult cover is characterized by a variety of composition and a high 

 interspersion of cover types. Woodlands, particularly if they contain some conifers, are the 

 backboni- of the covert. Overgrown lands and slashings furnish important summer and fall 

 feeding opportunities. 



Though no types of cover are completely shuimcd at anv season, inmith. or time of day. 

 there exists a fairly definite time-use pattern. 



Temperature, wind and atnH)spheric conditions exert a inodilxing influence on cover choice. 

 In most instances, the differences thus caused arc not pi unced. Ground conditions, partic- 

 ularly snow, also are responsible for some shifts in cover use. Slope exerts a minor influence. 



By studying the details of the points here presented, then- emerges a generalized '"design 

 of living (]uarters." which, when |)roperly put together >lioulil fulfill all grouse co\er re- 



* See Appriiilix, p. 8.17. 

 A See Ap)>cn«tix. p. 838. 

 t See Appriidii. p. 8.19. 



t Sec the Bocliiiii »>n "Tlif Holi- of (^ivi-r Ciiiiipitnilii>ii .mil Vrriiiiccinfiir*. p. I(i8: iiNu llii- rlidpli-r^ <iii •Ir4i;:iiiiis .iinl iii.iiiitjiiiiiii; 

 good grouse covorm. 



