Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-04-29
Nebraska
MYSTERY IN FATE OF
GAY FOREIGN BIRDS
Sixteen Festhered Beauties Given to
Charles W. Bryan by State, but
Never Reported On,
PHEAsANTs AND PARTRDeEs
(From a Staff Correspondent

(From staff Correspondent
LINCOLN, April 2S.-(Special. y
While william Jennings Bryan, sec
rotary OF state at Washington, is try
ing to keep this country from getting
mixed up in any foreign complica-
lions, his brother. Charlie here in
Lincoln may be called upon to ex-
plain his connection with the disap-
pearance of certain subjects OF
foreign nations, which we're brought
TO this country at state expense and
given homes at Antelope park.
The were Hungarian cartridges. Eng
lish pheasants, italian ringnecks, Chinese
rheasants and several other foreign birds
Two years ago when tho legislature re-
fused to appropriate funds to continue
their propagation, II was up to the state
to dispose OF the birds In some way and
SO they were distributed in pairs and
sent to different parts of the state.
stiII state Property.
The report of the state game warden
under date of December 81 1914, gives
were sent and data in the office shows
to whom they were sent. They we're
given out with the understanding that
|they still remained state property and
that those to whom they we're sent were
TO look after them and report to the
state game warden from time to time
Vas to their whereabouts and their con-
dition.
Some Were Favored.
Reports from different parties to whom
the birds were sent show that they have
been looked after and in many instances
have raised broods of young. 1t is in
teresting to note that except in certain
instances, the birds were sent out in
punches of only two or three. mostly
just "A pair. These instances are in the
case of six birds sent to Senator Jack
Grace Of Harlan county. who has taken
much interest in the birds; eight to SEN
ator George WOLF of Fremont, who was
also a member of the fish and game
committee and has looked after the birds
closely, reporting from time to time of
their condition and five TO Columbus,
where a gentleman by the name of Phil
lips has been watching them and re
porting on them.
sixteen TO C. w. Bryan.
However, the report shows that six
teen of the birds went to South Lincoln
and were turned over to Charles w.
Bryan. According to information given
today at the game warden's office, Mr..
Bryan has made no report whatever on
the birds nor does the game warden know
what became Of them. People interested
in the disposal of the birds are inquir-
ing today why Mr. Bryan should be given
sixteen birds and has not reported on
their disposal when other people could get
but a pair, or, In three instances. more
than that number and be required to re-
port as to their condition.
Inquiries Futile.
The only thing that the game warden
seems to know about the birds is that
they were turned over to Mr.. Bryan and
were never seen ahain. The game war
den says that none of the people living
in the vicinity where the birds were
supposed to have been liberated ever saw
any Of them. although the game wardn
, admits that he made some inquiries. He
. says Mr.. Bryan got the birds before he
took charge Of tn office.
This win probably not cause any
foreign complications or sever neutral
ity with bcliigerent powers, but It is
liable to make a complication for Mr..
Bryan in hts campaign for city commits
sioner. as II is now up TO him to explain
what became of the birds. OF course no
one win hint that the birds were used to
entertain any OF The great men Of the ma
ton who came 10 dine with Mr.. Bryan
about that time, although their plumage
was beautiful, their songs were wonder
ful and their meat Is said to be delicious