The Chinese grouse Bonasa sewerzowi was studied at the Lianhuashan Natural Reserve using radio-telemetry in 1995. Three techniques were used to capture Chinese grouse in different seasons: nets, modified walk-in traps, and snare-noose poles. Prior to this work, Chinese grouse had not been successfully captured. Chinese grouse were not as shy as hazel grouse B. bonasia, and some could be approached to within 3-5 m. The first grouse was captured on 25 March using a snare-noose pole. This method was useful to recapture birds to change radio transmitters. Nets were useful when trying to capture birds associated with radio-marked birds, or when the birds were dusting or feeding at a fixed place. Two 80-day old chicks of a radio-marked hen were successfully captured by first locating the hen and then moving the brood into the nets. The walk-in trap was the most effective way to capture Chinese grouse, especially in spring and autumn, when the ground was less snow covered. During the display period, two pairs were captured together in one cage in two separate attempts. A device to cover the cage and to make it dark when a bird entered the trap was also designed. In 1995, 26 birds were captured and radio-marked (4 by snare-noose pole, 7 by nets, 15 by walk-in traps). Three radio transmitters were changed after the birds were captured with snare-noose poles and nets.

Key words: Bonasa sewerzowi, capture techniques, Chinese grouse, nets, radio transmitters, snare-noose poles, walk-in traps

Yun Fang, Lianhuashan Natural Reserve, Kangle County, Gansu Province 731516, People's Republic of China
Yue-Hua Sun, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, People's Republic of China