THE STARTING POINT 451 



THE STARTING POINT 



Irrespective of whether natural cover or more artificial propagation methods are to be 

 employed, the question most frequently asked by those who would breed grouse is, "How 

 can a start be obtained?" Hand-raised stock is still scarcely obtainable at any price, thus 

 limiting one to the securing of eggs from wild nests or from wild-trapped breeders. 



Eggs from Wild Nests 



Early experimentors, with few exceptions, started with the collection of a clutch or two 

 of eggs from the wild. Nests were usually discovered by accident, for. unless one is skilled 

 in the art, they are difficult to find. The Investigation, however, saved time by requesting the 

 cooperation of game protectors, forest rangers and interested sportsmen. Advertisements in 

 local papers inserted periodically for several years were responsible for the reporting of over 

 370 nests to the Investigation for purposes of study or of collecting the eggs. 



Difiiculties with adverse public opinion may be overcome if the experimental nature of the 

 project is carefully publicized in the region from which the eggs are to be collected. 



Collecting and Transporting Grouse Eggs 



The nest location, when found, should be carefully marked to avoid subsequent confusion 

 in refinding it though the immediate surroundings should not be disturbed lest predators 

 thereby be attracted. It is not necessary to gather unincubated clutches for, if carefully 

 handled, grouse eggs may be transported several hundred miles with no apparent ill effect 

 even during the early stages of incubation when they are most sensitive to change. This may 

 be completed with least likelihood of loss, however, just before hatching. Most of the eggs 

 collected by the Investigation in the southern part of New York were transported between 

 May 20-25. 



For several years great care was exercised in cidlpcting wild eggs and in transporting them 

 overland or by plane over distances up to 200 miles. Upon collection they were placed 

 in a pail half-filled with lukewarm grain and carried thus from nest site to a waiting car. 

 There they were transferred to a well insulated five-gallon kettle, in the bottom of which 

 heated grain had been placed. Over this were set a series of beaverboard trays in which 

 the eggs were placed between layers of cotton batting. A thermometer was inserted in each 

 layer of eggs. This was consulted as often as necessary to make certain that the tempera- 

 ture did not rise above 100° F. or drop below 80° F. The container, open at the top except 

 for a loose fitting beaverboard cover, was set on the car cushion or. if the road was unusu- 

 ally rough, suspended by springs above the floor not far from the heater. 



By closing the car windows and turning on the heater, temperatures satisfactory to the 

 eggs, if not to the driver, were maintained almost indefinitely. Later, heater and egg con- 

 tainer were boxed in, thus permitting the car windows to be left open. At the height of 

 egg collecting, several containers were sometimes delivered to a nearby airport from which 

 they were flown to the Research Center by the Department's airplane. 



