The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-04-12
FEATHERED STRANGERS.
What the Game and Protective AssO-
citation is Doing.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY
HELD in LEWISTON.

Death OF the Secretary Prevents the Max
ing of Detailed Reports--The officers
TONS Methods of Work-Its Breeding
Yards at East Auburn Where 1t Has
| Birds New to Maine Woods.
| Especial to the Press.]
| Lewiston, april 1.-The Maine Game
and Protective Association is an organi-
atim which has undertaken an import
antwor A its president, Mr.. E. G. Gay
of Pennington, told the PRESS cores
ponilent tonight, there are now in Maine
onlf two game birds of much value, the
partridge and the woodcock, and this
association is devoting itself particular
ly TO the introduction of other species,
as we'll as to the general work of fos-
terfng the fish and game interests of the
state. A East Auburn, three or four
miles from this city, it has esta blished
breeding establishment and has there
nov ten of the black game, so-called,
the grouse of Sweden. These birds were
imported in accordancee with the sug-
gestion of Hon. VIM. W. Thomas, Jr.
There were twelve when they started
from the old country, but two died on
the way. There wele also a number of
the Swedish capercailie, but they did
not stand the journey and all died. The
association has at it's breeding yard, be-
sides these strangers from Sweden,
dozen sharp tail grouse from the Dako-
tabs. These birds are also found in
Montana, Idaho and other western
states. From the great West also come a
number OF pinnated grouse. The birds
were not received last year in time for
the breeding season, but this spring they
have mated, and ii is expected that soon
the association will have a number of
chicks to become, it is hoped, the first
of large colony of these valuable game
bir is in the Maine woods. The breeding
yard is in charge of Mr.. W. H. Waterman.
The birds are OF course kept in pens, aid
they are now SO tame that Mr.. Waterman
can enter their quarters; without any man
ifestations of alarm from them.
This subject of the introduction of new
game birds into this and other states is
receiving great attention at present and
Mr.. Gay. who has given much time and
energy to the work of the society, is
Gently been corresponding with a view
TO ascertaining the desirability Of intro
ducing the Mongolian pheasant into the
Mains forests, and at the annual meet
ing of the association, held in this city
this evening, he told the members that
forty-fve pheasant eggs for Matching
could be procured for 500. few Mon-
golian pheasants were introduced in Or
egon in 1892 and they have since become
so numerous in thatsstate that last year
commission houses handled 1890 and
l ,70O respectively. Massachusetts, has
secured few of these birds and Yer
mont will do SO. There are number of
varieties of pheasants, but those Mr.. Gay
wants to see brought to Maine ara the
from the English pheasants. Mr.. Gay
strongly urged the purchase of some of
the eggs as an experiment, but no action
was taken.
The building of the breeding pens and
procuring the birds has put the associa-
tion in a position where its Liabilities
somewhat exceed it's assets, but the ex-
ecutjve committee has been empowered
to take any necessary steps to meet the
obligations, and with the large mem
bershlp and the property it owns, there
is no reason why the society should not
be in prosperous circumstances.
The meeting revealed An unfortunate,
but unavoidable condition of affair,
The late Mr.. J.C. Higgins of Bath did a
great denl Of valuable work in forming
the organization, and was elected aecre-
tary and treasury. MIR. Higgins, how
ever, died of heart disease during his
term of Office after an illness which pre-
vented his completing his reports, par
ticularly upon the membership of the
association, SO that it was found to be
impossi BILE to make an accurate report,
bnI f,,1l
records, but in seperate books and not
embodied them in form OF use to those
who came after him. He was a man
filing many places Of trust, and death
came to him Unexpectedly, so that mat
tiers Ineligible to him were confused to
those who did not understand his
methods.
1t was shortly after s when President
Say called the association to order.
about Is members being in attendance.
Mr.. Gay did not offer a written report,
but made a statement of the work done
by the society. The illness and death of
Mr. Higgins. who was secretary and
treasurer lnavoidably confused the work
OF the organization and Mr.. GAY believed
that the membership must be much
larger than the records showed. Accord
ing to the books there are 800 paenbers.
but in reality there are probably nearer
450. During Mr.. Higgins's illness it was
impossible to talks business with him
His sickness also resuitedin tine failure to
make up the records, SO that there are
no reports to be made. Mr.. Cav stated
that as soon as the organization was
completed work was begun on the breed
ing pens and game birds were secured
A II that could be done was accom-
plished, so much in fact that the asso-
citation is now 5000 in debt, but with
about $500 due in fees. In Mr.. GAYS
work before the last Legislature he had
at frst intended to ask for separate an
preparation, but sson consultation with
others interested in game protection, it
had been decided to join drives and
secure as large an appropriation as pos
sible. The matter is now in the hands
of the fish and game commissioners and
they have the power to say what, If any
thing, this society shall receive.
Mr.. Everett B. n Norton OF Farmington.
VINO acted as secretary and treasurer,
said that for the reasons already stated
ne was unable to make a report.
The list included mateial pur-
chased for the breeding yard, and
between 5000 and $500 due Mr.. Water
man, making total of something over
5000.
Mr. VIM, Ledyard of Bath, and Mr.. Nor