Vol. 7» No. 5 
Page 4 
In a random distribution R equals 1; under conditions of maximum aggregation, 
R equals 0. R values > 1 indicate distributions which tend toward uniformity. R 
values calculated for the Dale and Forbes areas were 0.95 and 1.36, respectively, 
indicating that coveys in the prehunt populations were distributed in a random 
pattern. The R value for the Dale Area did not depart significantly from random, 
but the R value for the Forbes Area showed a significant departure from random to¬ 
ward uniformity. 
Clark, P. J., and F. C. Evans. 1954. Distance to nearest neighbor as a measure of 
spatial relationships in populations. Ecology 35(4):445-453- 
Table 3* Comparison of certain statistics obtained in measuring distances to 
nearest neighbors among quail coveys located on the Dale and Forbes areas, 
November 1963- 
Statistic 
Dale Area 
Forbes Area 
Size of Area Censused 
(Square Miles) 
1 .23 
2.445 
N 
17 
22 
P 
13-78 
8.59 
Sr 
2.17 
5.H 
7 a 
0.13 
0.23 
7 e 
0.14 
0.17 
R 
0.95* 
1.36** 
-'Random distribution, with no significant departure toward uniformity. 
**Random distribution, with significant departure toward uniformity. 
5. Rabbit Management D. A. Casteel 
Nest-building behavior of cottontail rabbits enclosed in large pens, 7-14 to 
a pen, was studied during the past summer in an attempt to discover behavioral 
means of predicting when parturition will occur. Observations revealed three 
fairly distinct phases of nest-building activity: excavating the cavity, lining 
the cavity with vegetation, and lining the cavity with hair pulled from the body. 
The following report is a composite description of the nest-building activities 
observed: 
The expectant female was quite industrious during the digging phase; she spent 
approximately equal time digging and alertly looking around. At times, the head 
and shoulders of the excavating female disappeared down the hole; movements of the 
ear tag suggested that she was breaking loose the hard, dry clay, by biting. Loose 
soil was scraped from the hole with the forefeet and chin and shoved to one side or 
behind; the hind feet were not used for digging. (The dimensions of 21 nests 
averaged 4 inches in depth, 4 3/4 inches in width, and 5 3/4 inches in length.) 
