Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-08-31
approach again for many days, within 200

approach again for many days, within zoo
yards.
In the early spring they pair, and as
soon a the warm days begin they make
their nests in the same manner as do the
game prairie hen and quail. The setting
consists of from sixteen to twenty-four
eggs. The eggs are dark gray in color, and
IN size are about one and quarter inches
longest diameter to seven-eighths of an
inch shortest diameter. The Young bird
when hatched is therefore very small,
though it makes up in vitality what it
lacks in size-as | have known of birds
living and being exceedingly lively for
four days without having ever tasted any
food or drink. After the brood is several
days old the hen very wisely delivers them
over to the tender care of her gay cavalier,
who doubtless by this time is finding life
rather monotonous, and possible considers
marriage a failure. She then deyotes her
attention to the rearing of a second brood,
which IN due course of time is accom-
pllshed TO her perfect satisfaction. The
two broods then range together until fully
grown. Oltentimes late in the season more
small birds are hatched, giving rise to the
belief that frequently the third brood is
raised by the same pair. Be that as it
may, Notwithstanding the fact that many
have been shot, and many nests are yearly
destroyed by farmers doing their spring
plowing and sowing, the increase has been
simply wonderful, as the birds are now
found all over the entire Willamette val
ley in great numbers.
1t is currently reported by many, that
the Mongolian pheasant DESTROYS the nests
and kills. the young of the native game
birds. This is doubtless grave mistake
In this section the quail has been gradu-
ally disappearing for years prior to the in
PRODUCTION of the pheasant.
The grouse do not nest in the open fields
as heretofore, more | imagine on account
of timidity than anything else. They still
nest in the groves along the foothills, and
this spring found a grouse sitting on
nest containing about dozen eggs of her
own laying, and FIVE eggs laid by Mon
goltan pheasant hen-which ali Matched
and grew to maturity together. The nest
was underneath fir bush at the edge of
an opening, and instead of destroying the
nest Of the grouse, in this instance at least,
Il ey seemed extremely desirous of assist
ing the mother grouse in the successful
performance of her household duties
1t Is not difficult task to raise them in
yards, as many suppose. They cannot be
domesticated, however, but may be crossed
with ordinary fowls, though ! fail to see
the advantage gained by such a cross.
The first few days after being hatched,
the birds must be fed on larva, bugs ETC.,
which can be obtained with a little care
and attention. After a few days care in
this manner, they may be handled the
same as domestic chicks, They soon learn
the call of their foster mother, and rush
for food at her call as eagerly as do ordi-
nary chickens. l have at present two
pairs, which are three-fourths grown, that
/ have raised from eggs this season. A
neighbor also has six others which he
raised, so | speak from experience.
Although fear you will find this letter
rather lengthy, l cannot close without
stating that those who best know are unan-
imous in the opinion that their quality
as table deiicacy is unsurpassed by any of
our native birds, not even excepting the
delicious Bob White" of the Eastern
States, which claim, if true, should be
sufficient recommendation.
F. J. DENEvEN
Corvallis, Or, August 16, 1889.