Juvenile cottontails from southeastern Ohio 

 show consistently lower values for phos- 

 phorous, hemoglobin, and calcium blood 

 levels than do juveniles from other regions 

 of Ohio. General summations of data sug- 

 gest that differences in the secretion of 

 pituitary gonadotrophins and/or adreno- 

 cortical steroids may be influencing the 

 basic productivity of these animals. This 

 may be a reflection of soil differences in 

 various parts of the State. 



A study of the characteristics of a swamp 

 rabbit population in Missouri provided an 

 estimate of 1.6 years average longevity for 

 these rabbits. Apparently there is little or 

 no breeding by juvenile females; in this 

 respect the swamp rabbit differs markedly 

 from the cottontail. 



Resident game birds . - -Observations by 

 Pennsylvania Unit personnel revealed that, 

 after 7 years, openings created for grouse 

 in pole -size timber had lost much of their 

 value for broods owing to natural plant 

 succession. Brood habitat disappears long 

 before the areas become unsuitable for 

 adult grouse. 



In Utah, a study was made of the effects 

 of environmental and biological factors on 

 rally calling in the chukar partridge as an 

 aid to the interpretation of census methods. 

 Frequency of calling was high in the morn- 

 ing and evening, and negligible during mid- 

 day. The daily pattern of calling before and 

 after postbreeding covey formation showed 

 definite differences. High calling periods 

 normally occurred at lowered light in- 

 tensities and mild temperatures. High winds 

 and precipitation diminished calling at most 

 times. However, it appeared that internal 

 motivation to call was high enough at times 

 to stimulate calling under adverse condi- 

 tions. The presence of other chukars 

 normally stimulated calling; the presence 

 of predators normally inhibited calling. 

 Sex and social' rank influenced calling by 

 penned birds. Dominant males called more 

 frequently than subordinate birds. Calling 

 by females was more frequent than by 

 males. 



As a result of a 2-year study of chukar 

 partridges and their range in western 



Colorado by the Unit, the following general 

 management recommendation can be made: 

 Provide green food to chukars during the 

 prebreeding season (February to about 

 mid-March) to induce the physiological 

 condition necessary to high productivity. 

 This can best be done by establishing 

 chukars on range with natural water 

 sources, preferably streams through small 

 farmed valleys flanked by steep, rocky, 

 canyonlike slopes. The feeding of green- 

 cured alfalfa can be resorted to during 

 very dry winters and springs when the 

 growth of green food is short or non- 

 existent. Manmade watering devices com- 

 monly known as "guzzlers" induce wider 

 distribution of chukars during dry years 

 and help maintain populations on marginal 

 range, but it is doubtful whether they con- 

 tribute to significant increases in the pop- 

 ulation. 



Gambel's quail research by personnel of 

 the Arizona Unit has pointed to ways of 

 increasing production of young birds. 

 Earlier research indicated that the sub- 

 stance found in green foods which is neces- 

 sary for successful breeding is either 

 vitamin A or an associated substance. 

 Artificial stimulation of breeding in wild 

 quail was attempted using high concentra- 

 tions of vitamin A in a supplementary feed 

 during both 1960 and 1961. To give experi- 

 mental accuracy, paired study areas were 

 used with the vitamin available to the quail 

 on only one area but added feed given on 

 both areas. Breeding success was measured 

 by deternnining the fall young -adult ratios. 

 This was done by trapping and banding, and, 

 in 1961, wing collection boxes and hunter 

 cooperation were also tried to find this 

 ratio. 



In 1960, added vitamin A was available 

 during most of the breeding season, and was 

 therefore given both to the breeding pairs 

 and to the young-of-the-year. Coveys were 

 larger and there were more young where 

 the birds had received extra vitamin A. In 

 1961, the feeding period was shortened to 

 ascertain whether management economies 

 could be effected. Less positive results were 

 attained with a shorter feeding period. 

 Continued research is planned to find the 



17 



