86 The Ruffed Grouse 



during the four seasons and we find them to vary widely according 

 to the season. These variations are exhibited graphically in Figure 4. 

 The most marked contrast is in the summer type use intensities in 

 comparison with the other three seasons. Now let us consider the 

 same data from the standpoint of the variation in use made through 

 the year of each major cover type group. 



Coniferous Woods: It is rash to say that one type is more im- 

 portant than any other. The truth is that one type— any type— by 

 itself loses much of its importance. The potential value of any type 

 can only be attained when its quantity, quality, and distribution are 

 in harmony with the same qualities of other important types of 

 cover. It is likewise true that no type of cover is indispensable. Some 

 grouse may exist within the geographical range of the species even 

 if one type, however important, is completely absent. This is also 

 true, but progiessively less so, if two or more types are absent. Keep- 

 ing these generalizations in mind, it is clear that coniferous wood- 

 land is the most intensively used type during the colder months and 

 hence, with a reasonable balance of other types, the more important 

 of the several type groups during the period from mid-fall through 

 mid-spring. The marked preference for this type, especially in the 

 winter months, was enhanced in the records given here by the mod- 

 erate quantity and good distribution of this cover on the study area. 

 This factor tends to widen the use intensity ratio between conifer 

 cover and the mixed- and hardwood-woodland type groups because 

 of the greater area and more extensive blocks of the latter. Thus, 

 while coniferous woodland is an immensely important— almost vitally 

 important— component type for satisfactory grouse range, it should 

 be in moderate proportion and well distributed in order to be most 

 effective. 



There were two main confferous types on the Connecticut Hill 

 area, hemlock woods and pine (white and red) woods. The hem- 

 lock is definitely superior to the pine type. Over the northeastern 

 range the coniferous-type group may conveniently be divided into 

 four types, hemlock, spruce-fir, white and red pine, hard pine (pitch, 

 banks, or Virginia). These are arranged in order of quality, with 

 the hard pine type definitely inferior to the other three. The qual- 

 ity of shelter in each is affected greatly by the age class and by the 

 amount of admixture of hardwood trees and shrubs. The highest 

 quality is obtained in the stands having all ages of trees, including 



