The Ecology of the Partridge

Abstract

Most studies of game bird populations have led to the conclusion that the numbers available at the end of the breeding season are largely determined by the severity of the mortality suffered by the young chicks (Jenkins 1961; Jenkins, Watson & Miller 1963; Blank, Southwood & Cross 1967). Studies on the red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus (Lath.)) (Jenkins et al. 1963; Jenkins, Watson & Picozzi 1965; Jenkins, Watson & Miller 1967) and on other Tetraonidae (Siivonen 1957; Watson 1965) have suggested that in most years the extent to which the chicks survived was determined before the eggs hatched. Jenkins and his co-workers have been able to show in the red grouse a correlation between chick survival in the wild and in captivity, and also between the former, hatching success, clutch size and adult sex ratio. Variations in these pre-hatching