The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-01-16

ne nAu TAlbeu uuueT UduLhm nSho
They were Of the ringneck variety
They grew up under the care OF the
bantams. In about one month they
left the hens and foraged for them
selves. During the winter. sheayes
OF grain were tied to trees along the
roadways Of the refuge. This brought
the birds through the winter.
|, This summer young birds, progeny
Of the liberated ones. were seen al
Mikado. Greenbrush and Harrisvllle
and west half way to the Cooke side
dam on the Au Sable river. This In
dlcates that the birds have spread
over considerable territory and that
they are able to exist in this latitude
along with our native partridge.
Mallard, teal and wood duck have
been placed on the Walhalla refuge.
The mallard have bred normally and
the increase Is satisfactory. The
wood duck and teal have had no In
crease.
Haven for Geese and Quail.
Wild geese have felt at home pn the
refuge waters. While they have not
yet Matched, their presence has
brought in many Of their migrating
cousins as visitors. At times. flocks
Of hundreds and more have been seen
on Cedar lake. Bushels Of grains are
spread on Mr.. Schmidt's instruction
for food for the visiting geese. There
has been no noticeable increase OF
ruffed grouse since the dedication OF
the refuge.
Various song birds, particularly
martins ARE visiting Walhalla. They
are reported as increasing in num-
Der. For three successive years the
martin left this location promptly on
August &c. This is lone instance
OF birds observing an exact date for
annual departure. oddly Of the OBJ
servance is increased when It is con-
sIdered that the seasons Of the three
years varied In both weather and har-
vest time.
While many of the refugees OF small
acreage have reported quail in num-
bers, 1t is on the Iosco-0gemaw ref
uge that the most startling increase
has been noted. This refuge, used
privately as a stock farm, consists In
its entire acreage Of fertile soil. While
affording a diversified and splendid
cover. II is wholly hemmed in by sur
rounding farms. It is presumed that
fear of man has tended to the out
going Of weasel, mink, coon and pre-
datory animals which regard quail as
a pleasing morsel.
On this refuge during the last sea-
son. Bob White has been seen by hun
dreds. A single pair were observed
with ten half grown chicks and twelve
autumn nedgllngs as their seasons
production. Partridge are also re-
ported plentiful and on the increase
here. though in the state at large the
season has been bad one for this
bird. 1t is presumed that prevailing
cold rains presented Matching or de-
stroyed the nedglings on their nest.
1t is the intention of Commissioner
Oates to secure the services Of an ex-
pert on propagation who will be placed
in executive charge of the Hanson
game refuge. Funds for the work
may be diverted from the proceeds of
sale of hunters licenses. New lands
are constantly being added by dedi-
cation of individuals to the state ref
uge area and Commissioner Oates be-
lleves that Michigan is now in fair
way to take rank with the most pro-
gresslve states in conservation and
of wild life. A recent
dedication by John M. Longyear in
cludes $40 acres Of primeyal timber
lands.