PUBLIC DOCUMENT- -No. 25. 57 



siderable damage. However, continuous adverse weather con- 

 ditions during the first part of the summer proved a serious 

 handicap to rearing, although late hatches were remarkable for 

 the large percentage of young raised. We caution the public 

 against assuming that the breeding of quail is as easy as that 

 of pheasants. We believe that the time wjjl come when a large 

 number of these birds will be liberated annually, but we have 

 yet much to learn in the control of vermin, which infest all our 

 game farms, and the control of the young birds when they are 

 ready to shift for themselves 



In the case of grouse propagation progress is slow, but on 

 the whole satisfactory. During 1915, 19 birds reared almost 

 to maturity were liberated, thus conclusively proving that arti- 

 ficial rearing of grouse is no chimerical notion, though by 

 reason of numerous natural peculiarities it is made difficult. 



The region where these attempts at propagation are being 

 conducted is admirably adapted for the life of the species. 

 Intensive studies are being made of the habits of the birds, 

 mating, etc., particularly with a view to determining the little 

 individualities which now stand in the way of extensive rearing. 

 Once these are ascertained, and the vermin of various kinds 

 taken well in hand, appreciable results are expected. As was 

 the case with quail, protracted periods of bad weather during 

 the breeding season had drastic results upon the grouse. 



We are carrying on experimental breeding of native black 

 ducks and wood ducks at this station, the results of which will 

 be more fully set forth in a later report. 



Norfolk Game Farm. 



The Norfolk Game Farm, established in 1912 through the 

 co-operation of the Norfolk State Hospital and the Commis- 

 sioners on Fisheries and Game, furnishes an excellent illustra- 

 tion of the utilization of undeveloped public lands. The game 

 farm is situated upon 100 acres of land belonging to the hos- 

 pital, where pheasants and mallard ducks are reared and 

 liberated. 



Reciprocity is the keynote. The State Hospital furnishes 

 the land and the voluntary labor; the Commission sup^lies^ 

 novel means of occupational treatment for the "' 



