Evening star., 1899-03-13
BOB WHITES LIBERATED
The First Consignment of Birds Set Free
in Maryland.
Additional Shipments on Their Way
Record to he Kept of the
Breeding Project.

Ten dozen fine healthy quails were re-
leased yesterday on "Avenel," the country
place of Mr.. W. w. Rapley, situated in
Montgomery county. Md, about ten miles
from this city The birds were the first to
be received by Mr.. Walter NJ Moreland,
the game dealer, in pursuance of his gen.
erOUs offer to secure western birds for
those sportsmen who desire to replenish
the quail family, which was almost exter-
minated in this vicinity by the February
storm.
When The Evening Star published Mr..
MOreland's proposition, Mr.. Randolph Rap
ley was the first to take advantage of it.,
and as the first to order was to be first
served. the initial consignment received
from Charles w. Payne Of Wichita. Kan,
was turned over Saturday to MIR. Rapley,
and liberated yesterday stated. The
birds We're evenly divided between the
sexes, this arrangement having been made
by Mr. Moreland, in order TO assure better
results in breeding. This determination
made it necessary to pay the western trap
pers and shippers n little more per dozen
than it originally estimated, Mr.. More
land believing at first that he could get
them here, express charges included, at
from $1s5 to 81 per dozen. The increase in
price is very slight. however, and not to be
considered at all when the extra advantage
is looked at. Mr.. Rapley's birds were de-
Additional consignments will now be ar
irving every day or two, and will be imme-
diately turned over to those ordering them.
In order 10 have enough for all who wish
to assist N restocking the surrounding
country. Mr.. Moreland has ordered 800
dozen birds. OF these over 40 dozen have
been already bargained for In addition to
the list published in The Star Saturday, or
derS have been received from Mr.. Z. L.
Hall. two dozen; Mr.. w. T. Roberts, two
dozen; Mr.. c. Cromwell, eight dozen.
Suggestions to SpOrtsmen.
The result of the stocking of the coverts
will be watched with much interest, and
The Evening Star will follow the movement
closely frCm the time the birds are liberat-
ed until the shooting season opens. 1t is
therefore urged upon each person who lib
crates birds to note the number of birds
given freedom by each and to jot down the
date of setting them free the character Of
the country in which they We're liberated,
the kind and quantity of food temporarily
given them, and 10 make a record partic-
ularly If the birds were released in couples
or in small lunches Those interested prac-
tlcalIy i'll the project are also requested to
continue observation of the birds during the
breeding season and note such habits and
movements as may be interesting.
If there is a general compliance with
these requests the record made viii be an
Invaluable contribution to sporting lore.
Steel Traps for Hawks.
The suggestion in The Star that a gem
eral warfare should be waged against
hawks, which are SO destructive to birds.
has met with general approval and for
those farmers who cannot find time to
shoot hawks very good plan for ridding
themselves of the pests may be described.
Ihis has been successfully followed in many
sections. Plant a pole Is or 20 feet high in
the middle of a wheat field. Let 1t remain
ing place. as it almost invariably will, for
hawks. Then at night place and set a
small steel trap on the top of the pole. The
trouble and expense of this method is small.
and i'll the saving of barnyard fowl alone,
not to consider quaiis. the person taking it
will, 1t is said. be more than repaid.