The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-24
HUNGARIAN BIRDS
 NEARLY ALL DEAD
Importation of Partridge Into Connecticut Has
 Been Dead Loss

That the experiments with Hungar- ian partridge in this country and par ticularly New England have been a total failure so far as the various gun concerned, is now acknowledged by Game Warden David Walker, of Wa terbury, one of the foremost experts on game preservation in the State. parts of the State frequently on offi- cial business and is in a position to watch results carefully.
 Probably $40,O00 has been expended in importing these Hungarian part ridge to this country for purposes of propa gation, and it would now appear as if the money has been a total loss. Of this amount, strange to say, Con necticut has expended nearly $25, ,000 The Waterbury gun club a'one vast ed over $400 on these birds in one sea son.
 There is a mystery attached to this singular condition and as yet no one has been able to solve it. The Hun garian partridge are hardy birds, ac- of snow, yet they do not seem to be able to get acclimated. They migrate, too, and as soon as the winter season comes on, if it is their first time in New England, these imported birds presumably, like wild geese, though in the night or at dusk, rise in the air and hit the long "trail'' for the south land
 
 placed about the State of Connecticut not even a. skeleton or indication of dead birds, the possible prey of foxes, have been discovered and men like Game Warden. Walker have spent days in searching covers and various ren- dezvous where these birds were plant ed, for the one purpose of tracing them Not even an evidence re- mained to indicate that they had raised broods during the nesting sea- son.
 Only one instance has been recorded wherein a bird of the imported type was brought in by a. gunner and this was by foreigner who thought it an American partridge. Of course the law against shooting or snaring Hun garian partridge is still in effect, but there is little actual need of it be- cause of the complete disappearance, of these birds from the State of Con- necticut.
 No one has been able to locate them even in the South. according to reli- able authority on the subject and Southern sportSmen have made dili- gent search for them as the result of communications from Northern clubs in this State and elsewhere. A small area in New York State contains very few of the imported birds, but this is the only exception recorded by any Northern State interested in their propagation.
 The Hungarian bird is exceptionally handsome and is smaller than an
 
 really belongs to the grouse family and is not, strictly speaking, a part ridge. The American partridge is not a migratory bird Cneaning that it does not indulge in the luxury of spending it's winters like Tom Kelly, in the balmy atmosphere of the South), but some quail are, although many bred in old New England do not change their feeding ground in the-fau or winter.
 Good old fashioned New England .I- thorities prefer the North all winter, yet covies of them have been seen hiking for the South along in No Vember There Is a growing inter lection of game birds such as grouse, American and Hungarian cartridges, etc, but the experiments along the line of importing Hungarian stock will now be abandoned until the gov ernment or some noted authority as- certains cause for the mysterious disappearance of thehe birds from New England.
 Sportsmen interviewed by a report CT declare that these birds are rest less, hawkish in many of their pecu- haritieS, and unsettled in their likes and dfslikes regarding a nesting place. Very few of them have even consented to breed in New England. ''They are afflicted with a feeling akin to home referring to the Hungarian grouse ''They may fly back to Hungary for all we know, he added.
 Of course this last assertion is far fetched and alluded to the remote possibility of such a thing only cas- ually. However, Connecticut is done spending thousands of dollars with Hungarian exporters. The carrier pigeon instinct is too great and the rice fields of the south may even yet be found to allure them, but efforts to substantiate any of these varied claims have been unavailing
 This winter, from the first of Jan uary until now, has been especially severe upon quail. Reports Of starv- ing quail heard during the recent cold wave and heavy snows are receiving information now that it is possible to estimate the damage a-field. How ever, appeals sent from various sour ces asking farmers and others to feed the birds undoubtedly saved many. Gun clubs and local protective associa- tions supplies food for great numbers