368 



REPRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF THE SPECIES 



grouse and where the succeeding; generations would all be derived from the stocked birds. Yet 

 the one known case of this kind with grouse attests to the prolificacy and hardiness of large 

 groups resulting from such plantings. 



In this instance, 19 grouse were released on Anlicosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

 These increased until the species was fairly common a few years later. The population has 

 since persisted in the face of a high predator population. 



Inbreeding is only likely to occur with birds that are strictly and wholly sedentary. Other- 

 wise, blood strains are continually interchanged. As has already been noted, the grouse is 

 by no means wholly sedentary. The young birds move about considerably prior to their first 

 breeding season. A large proportion of all grouse select a breeding territory different from 

 the place where they were raised. 



Since grouse are probably promiscuous in their breeding habits, the opportunity for 

 inbreeding is further reduced. 



Thus one must conclude that inbreeding seldom occurs in grouse and that there is no 

 indication of its being detrimental if it does. Thus a ghost is laid. 







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