Vol. 17, No. 6 
Page 4 
lower than in 1973* the peak count of 96 hens in 1974 was the same as In 1975* 
Fifty-two copulations were observed in 1974; 59 were observed in 1973* 
Notes on booming ground behavior have shown the existence of a dominance 
hierarchy among hens as well as among cocks. Vigorous disputes often occur within 
a group of hens on a booming ground and presumably the more cominant hens are 
mated first. Harsh hawks are generally the most common source of disruption on 
a booming ground, although interactions between the prairie chickens and short¬ 
eared owls, red-tailed hawks, pheasants, coyotes, dogs, and farming activites are 
also commonly noted. 
