698 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES 



with greater care and accuracy. In the beginning it was thought sufficient to map specific 

 cover units down to one acre in extent. Further work indicated, however, that units much 

 less than an acre in extent influence the distribution of grouse, and the areas were accordingly 

 remapped showing cover types to one-tenth of an acre. 



Since records were desired, not only of the type of cover but also of such items as food and 

 shelter and cover density, a fractional system of combining symbols describing these items was 

 developed*. That is, the cover type designation'^ was shown as the numerator with numerals 

 representing cover density, food conditions and shelter value, in that order, as the denominator. 



Cover density for each ty|)e was indicated bv a classification running- from 1 to 10, 1 

 representing minimum and 10 maximum density. Thus an open grassy area, providing the 

 grass was tall and thick, was given a density rating of 9 or 10. A woodland, on the other 

 hand, might be classed as 3 or 4, if the crown cover were relatively open. 



Food conditions for grouse, the second in the series of three symbols making up the 

 denominator of the fraction, were indicated by numerals from 1 to 5. The following differen- 

 tiations were recognized: 



1. Poor during all seasons 



2. Adequate or abundant during seasons when type was used by grouse 



3. Fairly adequate during all seasons 



4. Adequate throughout all seasons 



5. Abundant throughout all seasons 



The analysis of shelter value was symbolized by the numerals 1 to C, again interpreted 

 from the point of view of the grouse. 



1. Adequate shelter absent 



2. Adequate shelter scarce 



3. Shelter conditions superior to 2, but not yet adequate throughout all seasons of the 

 year 



4. Adequate 



5. Abundant 



6. Dominant to the exclusion of most food species. 



In extensive units of a single type, the fractional symbol rejirpscnting existing conditions 

 of food, shelter and density was written in the proper location as the food, shelter or density 

 in that particular portion of the type changed. 



As an example of the use of the above system, a fairly dense piece of second growth wood- 

 land composed of beech, birch, hop-hornbeam, maple and a few scattered hemlock (food 

 fairly adequate all seasons and shelter adequate) uoiild be described as follows : -r-r-r . A 

 20-year-old jiiiic plantation, on the other hand, w(iul<l probably be designated as ,,, ^ ^ while 

 an overgrown brushy field might be ^^ , ■■ 



To facilitate the recording of data, the study areas* after being mapped were divided into 



* ClatailicAtinn and Dctcrililinn of Cuvrr Typri in Nrw York Stat<>, N. Y. S. Cona. Dcjil.. Btiroaii of Caino, null. 1, 190 (mini. 



eographed) . 

 A Scd Chapter HI. 

 t Excrpl the Adirondack area wliirli is rtmfnliaUy solid (orral. 



