Since figures on monthly covey size are averages of counts taken 

 during each month, coveys would be somewhat smaller at the end of each 

 month than is indicated in Table 1. By the end of February the average 

 covey contains closer to eight birds and the reduction from the pre-season 

 population would approach h^ percent on an annual basis. 



We were surprised at the remarkable similarity in average covey size 

 for the month of February even when substantial differences in average 

 fall covey size occurred. This suggests that fall and winter losses may 

 be density-dependent. 

 Winter 



The past two winters have been most severe, with deep snow and periods of 

 extremely low temperatures. We have seen no evidence that normal winter 

 weather (no sleet) has seriously affected partridge populations, and in good 

 range, the birds withstand extreme weather very well. We consider that a 

 very good Hun population survived to late February and early March, I960. 

 At this time, coveys break up and pairs are not seen very often. 

 Winter Trapping 



Although snow was deep, partridge were difficult to trap in I960 and 

 considerable effort was required to catch the 50 birds which were sent to 

 Elgin County. Intermittent mild weather seemed to affect trapping results 

 and it may be that continuing cold weather is needed to trap Huns successfully. 



Our wire "funnel" traps were modified somewhat last winter and a "trap 

 door" type operated with propped stick and attached string appeared to work 

 better under certain conditions; this type of trap catches the complete 

 covey more frequently than does the "funnel" type. 

 The Nesting Season 



The main nesting period was considerably later than in 1959 j but only 

 slightly later than the long term average. Figure 1 indicates graphically 

 the main peak of the hatch for the past several years; data were taken from 

 wing moult data as described by Petrides (1951). 



71 



