Imperial Valley press., 1912-11-07

OF these two methods OF matntatnink
tho game supply of the state. wild
game BIRDS propagated for the pur-
pose, notably pheasants, have been lib
Grated from time to time within these
reserves, and II seems safe to predict
that the plan will work out fully a.
successfully as has the work of the
fish hatcheries in the past in maintain
ing the fresh water fish supply. With
respect to the multiplication Of water
fowls with the possible exception of
wild geese), Forbursh's recommenda
tion deserves attention in the Pacific
coast states: "Some of the great ponds
vations for water fowls; marshes and
sandy shores should be taken as refuge
for sea fowl and shore birds, and
islands should be reserved as breeding
places for sea BIRDS
Concerning the artificial propagation
of game birds, Forbes speaks as fol-
lows:
The greatly increased demand for
game birds must be met by new
source of supply. The only promising
method available for restocking IS
artificial propagation and feeding.
Pheasants, quail, wood ducks, mallards,
teal and other wild fowl may be reared
in great numbers if the work is scien-
tifically done. 1t was interesting toI
observe the large number of pheasants
and mallards successfully reared III
1905 by Bayard Thayer at Lancaster.
This is the work in which the commits
sioners on fisheries and game protec
tive associations and wealthy land
owners must engage if we are to have
game in its former abundance. A be-
ginning may be made by importing ex
perienced gamekeepers from England
and Scotland, where, notwithstanding
the long settlement of the country and
the density of the population, people
have game for their own use, and eX-
uort a great deal to this country TO
supply our depleted markets. Artif-
cial propagation is the most mportant
work of the century concerning game
birds. Many thousands must be reared
and liberated annually in every Allan
tice coast state, until the covers are
well stocked and the marshes again
swarm with game birds and wild fowl.
Attempts should be made to domes-
ticate game birds. In more than three
centuries since the discovery of the
American continent only one American
bird, the turkey, has become widely
distributed through domestication.j
There is no doubt that quail, grouse
and wood ducks may be readily tanned
and the Canadian goose has long been
known to be capable of domestication.
More attention to this subject might
add largely to the quantity of our food
supply and provide a source from
plenished"
The teacher should secure from the
fish and game commission of her state
the literature bearing upon the work
Of the commission. In addition to the
reports issued regularly there some |
times to be obtained also leaflets of
an educational nature. For instance, |
the California commission has recently
issued a bulletin entitled BIRD Study |
in the Schools" The bulletin was pre-
pared by Miss Gretchen l.. Libby, edu |
cational assistant, who has spent con |
time in lecturing in the public
schools throughout the state. The in
is written by State Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction Edward
Hyatt, and the table of contents treats
of the following general topics: Gen
eral Suggestions for Field Work." "Out-
line for Study of Birds" General Sug-
gestions" (as to how to teach bird
study in the schools, Special Work
in Bird Study" Special Points to EN-
phasize in Bird Study" Trees and
Plants That Attract Birds" Drinking
and Bathing Places" Feeding Tables"
Kind of Food to Give Birds" Nesting
Boxes and Nesting Material" Bird
Laws Birds as Insect Destroyers,"
Birds as Weed Destroyers,'' Birds a,
Rodent Destroyers," Birds as Scaven
gers" Study of Food Habits of Birds"
Aesthetic Value of Birds" "Guide to
he Study of Few Birds" Suggestive
Questions for Children" Bird Books
Pamphlets and Leaflets" "Maga-
zine," pictures" In the portion en-
titled Guide to the Study of a Few
rirds'' are given brief descriptions of
about so of the more common Cali
rornia species, together with notes on
when found, where found, nesting sea-
son, nest, habits. economic value and
general remarks. The pamphlet may
be obtained from the state fish and
game commission, Balboa building, San
Francisco, and is probably the most
valuable brief treatise on the birds of
he Pacific coast Iegion now obtainable.
The Strain on Sreel Rails
Boston Herald: Have you any ide1
Eel I