THE ESSENTIALS OF GOOD COVER DESIGN 609 



spring activity is reproduction. For nesting, female grouse prefer second-growth hardwoods. 

 Thus, at this season, this type occupies a position of special importance although, in actu- 

 ality, it is less used for other purposes than are mature hardwoods. In other words, many 

 types may provide food and shelter for the incidental activities of life but only a few seem 

 adequately to meet the major seasonal needs that must be provided for if the bird population 

 is to thrive. 



A second point, always in need of emphasis, is the importance of proper cover arrangement. 

 A thousand-acre tract of dense woodland usually attracts but few birds except along the edges 

 where it adjoins overgrown fields or slashings. Broken up into smaller cover units, an area 

 of the same size will be used to a much greater degree. Likewise, hedgerows intersecting 

 open fields may furnish excellent fall food but will seldom be used by grouse unless the other 

 components that collectively make up good grouse cover are close by. 



The arrangement of cover types in large measure controls the productiveness of the indi- 

 vidual habitat as well as the number of habitats to be found in the covert. Let us consider 

 each of these points separately. 



To visualize the part cover arrangement jjlays in producing the individual habitat ten of 

 the simpler combinations, commonly found in the Northeast, are reproduced in Figure 63. 

 Alongside each is an analysis of the extent to which the combination meets the four basic 

 grouse requirements as well as the probable result in terms of grouse habitat. 



In presenting these, it is of course recognized that any one component, such as "over- 

 grown lands" may in actuality be made up <if one or of several of the l\|i<"s that collectively 

 represent this group. For example, alder runs, birch thickets, overgrown pastures, with or 

 without conifers, all represent overgrown lands. While all of these, provide sunnner and fall 

 feeding grounds for grouse, some are much more productive than others in this respect, as 

 indicated in table 91. Thus the number of birds to be found in any one combination may 

 vary somewhat dejjeiiding upon the type of overgrown lands present. The same is true of the 

 other designations. 



Let us look into each of these combinations for a moment, for they may well give us a clue 

 w^hy some woodlands harbor many birds, others but few. Here, too, is a tip-off as to what 

 to try for in redesigning a covert. The figures are, for clarity's sake, diagrammatic but it is 

 easy to find their counterpart on the ground. 



The first, where only one tvpe is present, cannot possibly maintain a resident population of 

 grouse with two exceptions. Where, in spot-lumbered woodlands, conifers are present to fur- 

 nish winter shelter, good cover is available, and patches of berries and herbs provide summer 

 and fall feed, one may often find birds throughout the year. Much the same situation exists 

 in open, uneven-aged stands of mixed hardwoods and conifers. 



The second combination, that of hardwoods surrounded by overgrown lands, is poor because 

 winter shelter is lacking. Where conifers are to be found intermixed with the hardwoods 

 (combination 3). this deficiency may well be eliminated and good grouse populations often 

 result. 



Where, however, a central block of woodlands composed largely or entirely of conifers, is 

 surrounded by overgrown lands or hardwoods (combination 4) . a new consideration enters 

 in, that of winter feed. All woodland types, save pure conifers, usually contain a sufficient 

 proportion of hardwood species furnishing buds and mast so as to make food in winter nor- 

 mally abundant. Here, however, there is a deficiency in winter feed. This forces the birds 



