264 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Agriculture under date of November 13, 1916. For the first time 

 these regulations prescribed the use of standard crates to prevent 

 crowding the birds while in quarantine and to insure proper ventila- 

 tion and sanitation. As in the previous year the ports of entry were 

 Eagle Pass, Tex., and New York City, but all entries were made at 

 Eagle Pass. Through cooperation with the Bureau of Animal In- 

 dustry a careful and thorough inspection of the birds was made dur- 

 ing the 10-day period of quarantine. The first permit was issued 

 November 27, 1916, and the issue of permits was suspended on Feb- 

 ruary 15, 1917. The number of quail for which permits were issued 

 during the two months and a half was 42,973, and the number re- 

 leased from quarantine 32,814 ; as compared with permits issued for 

 12,989, and the importations of 8,000 in 1916. The total number 

 brought in last season was much larger than in any previous year, 

 and special efforts were made by some of the importers to facilitate 

 in every possible way the handling of the birds prior to quarantine 

 and to insure prompt shipment after release. In two cases, State 

 game commissioners arranged for the shipment of their birds from 

 Eagle Pass in special cars in charge of their own employees. While 

 the losses during quarantine were small and only a few cases of quail 

 disease were detected near the close of the season, heavy losses from 

 other causes were reported after the birds reached their destination. 

 Two States which received nearly half the total number of quail 

 reported losses of about 50 per cent. Attempts to handle quail in 

 carload lots can hardly be considered successful as yet, although the 

 losses en route are very small. 



At the rate importations were made last season the available sup- 

 ply of Mexican quail in the region adjoining the Rio Grande will 

 probably last but a few years. Under the circumstances, it is a serious 

 question whether better results will not be secured and more actual 

 progress made in restocking if the birds are handled in smaller lots 

 and given more careful attention after arrival than if they continue 

 to be handled in shipments of several thousand each. 



INFORMATION CONCERNING GAME LAWS AND GAME. 



The regular annual publications, including a directory of game 

 officials, the seventeenth annual summary of game laws, and a general 

 poster showing open seasons for game, were issued, and the demand 

 for them continues to be large. New game laws passed by the vari- 

 ous States have been carded and the index of game legislation has 

 been kept up to date as fast as the new laws are received ; under the 

 latter head is included the preparation of a subject index and mem- 

 oranda on some of the more important phases. 



Investigations were begun the last part of the year to determine 

 the value of game as a national asset. No comprehensive informa- 

 tion on this subject is now available and the need for it has become 

 increasingly evident. The work is being done with great care, and 

 the data already gathered indicate that the results will prove of much 

 importance not only to hunters but to State officials and to the States, 

 as showing the necessity for better laws and better enforcement in 

 conserving one of our important national resources. 



