714 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES 



by establishing check stations was used. A form sheet was filled out for each man and any 

 grouse taken were examined. 



The questions asked by each method were identical. They concerned the number of grouse 

 flushed, number shot at, number killed, weight and sex of those taken, number of hunters 

 in the party, number of dogs, if any, number of hours hunted, other game taken, and the 

 probable number of birds crippled. 



Determining Disease Relationships 



The birds collected* were utilized for both food habits studies and pathological examin- 

 ation. Most specimens were shipped to the Research Center by express, refrigerated by one 

 of two methods during the warmer months. Birds taken during June, July and August were 

 placed in wax paper bags immediately on collection to retain whatever external parasites 

 might be present. These specimens were shipped with dry ice, when it was available, or in 

 wooden boxes containing wet ice and sawdust. 



In some cases, blood smears were made by the collectors in the field. When the collector 

 was within driving distance of the Research Center the smears were made at the end of the 

 day of collecting. Those of birds collected by persons not in a position to make them or to 

 bring the specimens to the laboratory, were made on arrival. They were not taken from all 

 birds. The distribution of birds from which blood smears were made is discussed in the chap- 

 ter on disease. 



Many other grouse, supposedly diseased, and some viscera were sent in by sportsmen and 

 game protectors. 



Examination of the birds involved the systematic search of all organs for parasites and 

 pathological conditions. Standard methods of collection and preservation of parasites were 

 used. A search for coccidiosis was made by the smear method rather than by the flotation of 

 oocysts. This also revealed the presence of microscopic tapeworms. Identification of parasites 

 was checked from time to time by workers at the U. S. Bureau of Animal Industry. 



Routine procedure included recording the weight, sex and age of all birds. The crops and 

 gizzard contents were weighed and preserved for food habits examination. 



Estimating Grouse Populations 



The determination of the densities of grouse per unit of area was a necessary part of the 

 solution of many problems. As mentioned previously, a complete coverage of each study area 

 was necessary not only for grouse population estimates but also for other purposes. A method 

 for determining their number was, therefore, evolved from the data gathered by this system. 



It became evident that a single working of an area did not yield contacts with all of the 

 birds present. Previous information, plus data gathered during the first year of the Inves- 

 tigation, however, indicated a characteristic of the bird which aided in the development of 

 an estimation system. Adult prouse. particularly during the spring period, exhibit territorial 

 tendencies. It was found that by working the area three or preferably four times, over a short 

 period, the territories of individuals or groups of individuals could be j)lotted with fair ac- 

 curacy and that the chances of completely missing a bird during all of the workings was slight. 

 The population of a compartment was, therefore, a summation of its occupied territories and 

 the population of a study area was the sum of the compartments. 



* See difcuMion of Determining Food Kelatiunshipi, p. 70<i. 



