Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-26

w WASHINGTON, April 22.-There is a club in
w the country near Washington which mum
nearly all the tribes of wild animals and birds
found in this part of the country. Rabbits
grouse and foxes racCoons and oposSums all en-
JOY sort of associate mem bership-that is, they
are welcome to the premises and are not dis
turbed
This club founded by a number of Wash
ingtOn biologists some years ago, and is located
the upper Potomac It's property consists of
fifty acres of wild land, including an island in the
river, and log cabin which the members use as
headquarters when pursuing their Investigations
The place is carefully protected from trespassers
by friendly neighbors, when none of the members
present.
The purpose of the scientists in founding this
club was to make a study of every form of life
which occurs upon typical tract of land in this
part of the country. Among the members Of the
club specialists in almost all branches of biol
ogy. They have already investigated everything
from the minute algae of the river water to the
large quadrupeds which occasionally visit thu
premises
To the layman fifty acres seems altogether too
small an area for such study, but the scientists
selected the site for their club with care. II in
Guides slopes with exposures to the east. west
north and south: sandy soil and clay, dry knobs
bit of swamp, heavy forest and cultivated land
Thus it offers to visiting and resident wild things
every sort of food and shelter which the region
affords, and in addition it gives them protection
from gunners. AS result two cOveys of quail
have made it their permanent residence, have
many rabbits and squirrels. while rufed grouse
visit the place every fall. One of them once
found sitting the porch of the clubhouse. And
this place is only a few miles from a great city,
and mile from a noisy amusement park.
The biologists here able to make studies of
the habits of wild birds and animals extending
several years. For example, DR.. A. X
Fisher. of the biological survey. has been trying
for time to solve problem in the breeding
Z habits of the bOb-whte partridge. Each summer
two broods of cartridges raised at the club
and in the autumn there sometimes nearly
thirty birds the tract. Some of these stray off
and killed by gunners, and some die of cold
in the winter, but generally about half of them
survive until spring. At that time however, all
disappear except two pairs which again rear their
broods Although hundreds of the birds have been
produced and protected the place in the past
few years. never than four nest there. The
birds seem to understand that there only
housekeeping accommodations for two families
and that all the rest must emigrate when the mat
ing season arrives. How they decide which shall
go and which remain is mystery. Where the
migrants go is also mystery, for the scientists
are familiar with the surrounding country. know
every covey of birds in the vicinity, and have never
been able to detect any addition to them Dr.
Fisher now plans to catch the birds in traps. put
bands upon their legs, such as are used by pigeon
fanciers and release them again. Anyone who
kills banded quail will be asked through notices
in the newspapers, to notify the biological survey
In this way the scientist hopes to shed light on
mystery in the life of Bob White