694 METHODS l\n TECHMQUES 



and. if ])ossible. to find and develop means of producing and maintaining; high grouse 

 ])i>[)iiIations. 



The Investigation was organized and has heen directed throughout by the senior author 

 Gardiner Bump. Field work began in March 1930 and was carried on continuously until 

 September 1942. Artificial j)ropagation studies and laboratory investigations of disease and 

 parasitism were expanded with the establishment of the New York State Game Research 

 Center in 1933. The analysis of data secured was completed in 1943 as was the first draft 

 of this report. Publication was. however, delayed until 1947 by the war. 



The first step was to outline the problem and plan the work so as to secure the maximum 

 information available. The work was organized around the following ten major factors which 

 affect the production of grouse: 



1 . Physiology 4. General Habits 7. Parasitism and Disease 



2. Shelter 5. Weather 8. Alan 



3. Food 6. Predators 9. Rejiroductive Capacity 



10. Artificial Propagation (Replacement 

 of seed stock) 



These were in turn subdivided into 253 potential problems. The work was conducted and 

 summarized largely around this original outline. 



Study areas were selected and tentative survey methods chosen to collect as much data as 

 possible. As the information accumulated, the important problems became more clearly de- 

 fined. Techniques were checked and altered, where inadequate, to insure evidence that better 

 represented the existing conditions and could be analyzed for valid conclusions. 



As the study .progressed and expanded it became evident that no one person could be 

 responsible for all the specialized details. The res|)onsibilitv for carrying on most of the 

 field work was accordingly divided between the two jinu'or authors Robert \^'. Darrow and 

 Frank C. Fdminster. Jr. The latter left the Investigation in 1937 and was rephtced liv Walter 

 F. Crissey. The following s|)ecia]ists were engaged either to direct work on s|iccialized prob 

 lems or to collaborate with the authors in their solution: food habits. .Tohn C. Jones; para 

 sitism and disease. Dr. P. P. I.evine and Dr. Fraiis C. Goble: artificial |iro])agation. Dr. A. A 

 Allen, Earl R. Holm and Janel W. r!um]i: physiology. Dr. Wm. H. Long: embryology. Dr, 

 Alexis L. Romanoff; pterylography. John E. Trainer; anatomy. Dr. David E. Davis; biomet 

 rical analysis of data. Dr. Masoti I-awrence and Dr. C. McC. Mottley: and bibliography. Dr 

 Mary Thornton and Albert G. Hall. 



GENERA!, METHODS 

 In setting up the Investigation there were certain general considerations which preceded the 

 actual work on specific problems. They included selection and mapping of representative 

 study areas, choosing of personnel, as well ns deciding on the methods to be used in secur- 

 ing and recording data. 



Selection of Study Areas 



Considering the .Stale as a whole, three major regions were recognized on the basis of 

 habitat difTerences. The Adirondacks are distinct in comprising extensive forest areas of 

 a largely coniferous climax tyi)e and having a more severe winter climate: the Catskills are a 

 rugged region consisting of a heavily forested nn( Icus supporting a more |)n'dominantly 

 hardwood cover, surrounded b\ a zone where considerable agricultural develupmcnt has taken 

 place; the "Rest of the Stall-", typified by the central and Southern Tier ])lateau, is character- 



