338 ['RED AT ION 



One of the most surprising statements in the literature is that of Townsend"~ in which he 

 reports a crow carrying a full-grown ruffed grouse. Certainly such a feat is rare indeed. 



In the experience of the Investigation mammals other than the fox and weasel have been 

 of little consequence to adult grouse. In coverts where stray cats are numerous, however, 

 their depredations may become more frequent. Forbush"' reported 46 birds of these species 

 killed by cats but did not state the area or the period of time involved. 



As has been discussed previously* the vast majority of the adult mortality each year takes 

 place between fall and the following breeding season. This pattern appears to be primarily 

 associated with the existence of surplus birds in the habitat. It is significant that the sea- 

 sonal distribution of kills by the various predatory species has followed this very closely. 



Net Effectiveness Throughout the Year 



From the foregoing data it is evident that the predators most destructive of grouse are not 

 the same with respect to the different life periods. It is, therefore. ai)pro])riate to state the 

 conclusions of the Investigation regarding the net effectiveness throughout the year of the 

 more important species. 



Over the better grouse coverts of the State the fox is easily outstanding. Not only does it 

 take a considerable number of adults and chicks but it also has been responsible for over a 

 third of all the broken-up nests examined. Second is the great horned owl followed by the 

 Cooper's hawk both of which influence survival during all life periods since they from time 

 to time take nesting females. Next comes the weasel, another species capable of taking grouse 

 the year around but which is most important with respect to nests. These are the paramount 

 grouse predators in New York with the addition of the goshawk when it appears in numbers. 

 Beyond this, in those localities in the Adirondacks where the great horned owl is absent, the 

 latter and the Cooper's hawk take proportionately more. 



Regarding the sharp-shinned hawk and skunk it is diflicult to say whether the number of 

 chicks taken by the former outweighs the eggs destroyed by the latter. The raccoon ranks 

 somewhat lower largely because it is less numerous than the skunk in most sections. Finally 

 may be mentioned the crow and dog. 



Food Habits in New York 



Important as it is to know the effect of a predator on the game species with which one is 

 concerned, an intelligent management program must also take into consideration its other food 

 habits. Only in this way can a well-rounded picture of its jjlace in the environment be secured. 



It must be borne in mind that in no instance does a game bird of the Northeast constitute 

 the staple food of any ])redator. At the same time even the taking of small numbers may rep- 

 resent a degree of predation suflicient to have an important effect on the game population. The 

 two approaches are thus complimentary to each other. Too often this has been lost sight of. 



The conclusions of the Investigation with regard Id tlu' effect on grouse have been dis- 

 cussed. It remains to summari/e briefly the relali\c pnipDrlions of this and other types of 

 food which comprise the usual diet of the more imi)<)rlaiit grouse predators in New York as 

 well as some of those commonly suspected of being. 



Data of (wo principal kinds have been collected. First the stomachs of specimens taken in 

 various parts of the State have been secured from time to lime and examined. These have 



* Sec diacii»i<>n <>( Itolr <if I'rrilminii During Adult Period, p. 318. 



