VoI. 10, No. 7 
Page 2 
4. Responses of Bobwhites to Habitat Manipulation J. A. Ellis, K. P. Thomas 
Data on spatial relationships among quail coveys were analyzed for a 275- 
acre portion of the Dale Area for the prehunt, posthunt, and prebreeding censuses 
taken each year since the fall of 1963* This portion of the Dale Area was 
selected for the study of spatial relationships of quail coveys because (1) quail 
covey densities on this portion were high; (2) we were certain of the locations 
of nearest neighboring coveys; (3) this area was censused during the same day of 
each census. Also, the area has been intensively managed by the Division of Game, 
Illinois Department of Conservation, since 1962. R values (see Monthly Wildlife 
Research Letter, May, 1964) were calculated based on the locations of coveys 
found during each census. 
Generally, quail coveys were randomly distributed on this portion of the Dale 
Area. R values ranged from 0.77, prehunt census in 1963, to 1.69, posthunt census 
in 1967. The latter R value, the only one of 12, departed significantly from 
random, indicating a distribution tending toward uniformity. 
A direct correlation was found between the mean distance between nearest 
neighboring coveys (r.) and covey density (r = 0.852; df = 10; ref. r_ = 0.708 at 
0.01 level). However, no significant correlation was found between r and mean 
covey size. 
From these data, we can postulate that the habitat used by quail in this area 
was randomly distributed, or that the habitat was uniformly distributed but 
utilized randomly by quail coveys. Random spacing also implies little intracovey 
competition for specific habitat types, or a lack of social stimuli that may 
affect coviy distributions within populations, or both. 
5. Responses of Prairie Chickens to Habitat Manipulation R. L. Westemeier 
It has been established mainly through reports from local farmers on the 
Bogota Study Area that prairie chicken nests are commonly destroyed by plowing 
during the spring nesting period, which extends from e^.rly April to early July. 
During the springs of 1964 and 1 966 , 16 and possibly 14 nests, respectively, were 
plowed under in wheat stubble or in wheat stubble-clover mixtures. For an 
endangered flock of prairie chicker.s such as the one at Bogota, numbering less than 
100 birds (spring 196/), these rates of nest destruction are significant, since 
prairie chickens are believed to have only limited renestirig capabilities. Also, 
many destroyed nests are probably riot reported. 
In an effort to minimize losses of nests by plowing, 145 acres of cover 
scheduled for plowing were searched with a tractor-mounted flushing bar during 
May 1967* All searched fields were in close proximity to booming grounds and 
several of the fields are known as traditional nesting sites. Fortunately, only 
one prairie chicken nest was found by use of the flushing bar. The nest was 
constructed of wheat straw; nearly equal proportions of red clover and timothy 
provided the surrounding cover. The hen, which flushed about 6 yards ahead of 
the flushing bar, on May 23, from a clutch of 10 eggs, later returned to complete 
her clutch (11 eggs), incubate, and hatch on June 18 -- following a leasing 
arrangement with the landowner to leave a block of cover unplowed around the nest 
