Vol. 13, No. 7 
Page 2 
district 6 (1,076), and district 5 (242). These data are now being prepared for 
key punching and detailed analysis by computer. 
3- Ecology and Management of Sguirrels C. M. Nixon 
This project will be activated in September 1970. 
4. Responses of Bobwhites to Habitat Manipulation J. A. Ellis, 
D. R. Vance 
We calculated an "importance value" in analyzing vegetation found in 
quadrats on plots burned in the experimental management zone on the Dale Area. 
The quadrats were taken in August 1969 on plots burned either in March 1963 or 
March 1969* The importance value represents the average percentage of total 
vegetation for a given species times its frequency of occurrence over all 
quadrats sampled. The importance value may range from 0 to 100, but values >10 
indicated dominant plants in most instances. 
Goldenrod ( Solidago spp.) and lanceleaf ragweed (Ambrosia bidentata ) are 
dominant plants on al1 burned plots. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia ) 
appears to be most important the first growing season after burning; it becomes 
less important in the second growing season after burning, as succession 
advances. Other species showing this trend are partridge-pea ( Cassia fasciculata) 
and wild bean (Strophostyles spp.). Species that become more important in the 
second growing season after burning are broom-sedge ( Andropoqon virqinicus ), fall 
white aster ( Aster pilosus) , Korean lespedeza ( Lespedeza stipulacea ), and panic 
grass (Panicum huachucae ). Of these, only Korean lespedeza is an important quail 
food. Thus, two growing seasons after burning, important quail-food plants 
begin to decline as nonfood plants increase in dominance. 
5 . Responses of Prairie Ch i ckens to Hab i tat Manipulation R. L. l/estemejer 
The fate of 153 prairie chicken nests from the Bogota Study Area during the 
7-year period of 1963-69 was determined by examination of 114 nests by research 
personnel and by 39 "reliable" reports of nests from local cooperators. Overall 
hatching success has averaged 49 percent. This level of hatching success is 
strikingly similar to those reported in the literature for Wisconsin, Missouri, 
Kansas, Michigan, and for Dr. Ralph Yeatter's 1935-36 work in Illinois. On the 
sanctuaries exclusively, however, 69 percent of 87 nests have been successful 
during the same J-year period. 
As of July 20 this summer, 37 prairie chicken nests have been found on the 
sanctuaries at Bogota. Hatching success for the nests in 1970 has so far 
averaged 69 percent, the same as the average for 1 963 - 69 . As in the past two 
summers, the major portion of the nesting effort of the Bogota flock is on the 
sanctuaries, where nesting success is high once again. 
6. Rabbit Management G. B. Rose 
The energy assimilated by cottontail rabbits in outdoor pens and in outdoor 
cages was estimated by multiplying the average assimilation efficiency by the 
kcal of commercial rabbit chow consumed per day (MWRL 13(2):4-5). 
