286 The Ruffed Grouse 



VARIATIONS IN DIFFERENT HABITS 



We have considered the actual productivity of the grouse popu- 

 lation on one area, which is typical of the disconnected coverts in 

 the submarginal farm region of southern New York and northern 

 Pennsylvania. Productivity in wilderness range of connected coverts 

 was studied in New York's investigation on an area in the eastern 

 Adirondack mountain region. (N. Y. S. Cons. Dept. Ann. Reports, 

 1932-37; Edminster, 1938). 



There is an outstanding difference in the Adirondack record as 

 compared to that of Connecticut Hill-a seemingly greater insta- 

 bility of population. The first year of the Adirondack area survey, 

 1932, was apparently a peak year, and winter mortality data in- 

 dicate that 1931 also was a year of high population for this range. 

 Then in 1933 a marked drop occurred as a result of low brood sur- 

 vival. It will be noted that this same condition prevailed on Con- 

 necticut Hill that year. Then followed a recovery in 1934 to the 

 same level as 1932. This also took place on both areas. In 1935 we 

 again note a very low survival of young which brought a drop in 

 population in both areas. Recovery began here in 1936 and was con- 

 tinued on the Adirondack area in 1937 while Connecticut Hill re- 

 ceded. Thus the trends in productivity on the connected covert area 

 were somewhat synchronous with those on the disconnected coverts 

 during this period, but fail to show clearly the inverse relationship 

 between recoveiy and breeding density. 



As an average, the productivity on the Adirondack area was 

 markedly lower, about thirty per cent, than on Connecticut Hill. 

 Thus we have an indication that the productivity as well as the 

 carrying capacity of connected coverts may be lower than that of 

 disconnected coverts in the northeastern range. 



CHARACTERISTICS INHERENT IN THE SPECIES 

 THAT CONDITION PRODUCTIVITY 



There are many innate characteristics of the ruffed grouse, as 

 wdth all birds, that directly affect its productivity. For the most part 

 these are consistent factors of the bird's physiological complex. The 

 more important are discussed in the following paragraphs: 



