24 The RufiFed Grouse 



by pheasants, shooting from autos, pasturing of cattle in woods, and 

 summer boarders and foreigners without hcenses. It is interesting 

 to note that disease was given relatively Httle importance in this 

 inquiry, whereas it had been considered veiy important in the 1907 

 study. The note of new stock needed is the first mention we find of 

 the inbreeding factor, destined to be highly ballyhooed a few years 

 hence. 



In 1924 an out-of-step decline seemed of sufficient severity to 

 institute another investigation. At the American Game Conference 

 that year Dr. A. A. Allen, who had been investigating the artificial 

 propagation of grouse since 1919, reported the discovery of the 

 stomach worm (Disphanjnx spiralis) of such severity in New York 

 grouse as to assume epidemic proportions. He suggested that it 

 might be the cause of grouse cycles. At the instigation of Senator 

 Walcott a national grouse investigation was created, with the late 

 John B. Burnham as chairman of the committee. The work of this 

 committee, directed by Dr. A. A. Allen, was concentrated largely on 

 a study of grouse diseases. Specimens were received from aU parts 

 of the Northeast. Allen meanwhile continued his studies on methods 

 of raising grouse in captivity. The next year the New England por- 

 tion of the work was continued independently by Dr. A. O. Gross 

 under the New England Ruffed Grouse Investigation sponsored by 

 the Massachusetts Fish and Game Association, and Allen continued 

 his work in New York, examining birds from Minnesota, Michigan, 

 Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well as New York. 



The 1924 decline was short-lived in most parts of New York and 

 the birds were again plentiful in 1925. But the gains were not held 

 for long. Indications of decline were noted in 1926 and by 1927 the 

 species had declined to the lowest levels known. Hunting seasons 

 were completely closed in New York and most other near-by states 

 for a year or more. Both Allen and Gross examined hundreds of 

 specimens sent in by interested sportsmen and scientists from all 

 over the Northeast. In 1929 Gross reported: "Work on all phases of 

 the life history of the ruffed grouse will be continued, but this fall 

 we will give special emphasis to an intensive study of Dispharynx 

 which has been found to be the most important parasite affecting 

 the grouse. . . ." Altogether, seven progress reports of these investi- 

 gations were made, two by the committee of the American Game 

 Conference and five by the New England Investigation. 



