3 88 



REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 



grouse, and which almost entirely eliminated the normal increase to be 

 expected. Furthermore, it was also at least indirectly responsible for the 

 destruction of most of the adult hens and such of the young as were success- 

 fully hatched, by so impairing their vitality that the y quickly succumbed 

 to the third serious fact — a disease, or parasite, or both. 



The destruction caused among the grouse by foxes and goshawks, 

 especially the latter, was more serious in its after effects than would first 

 appear. This becomes evident when we consider that for every pair of 

 adult birds killed during the winter there must be a corresponding loss of 

 the brood that these two birds would be expected to raise the following 

 spring. In other words a total loss of from 8 to 16 birds for each pair killed. 





Photo, by Herbtrt K. Job 



