Camjing capacity for bobwhife quail. — In tlie 

 fall of 1961 both pen-reared and wild-trapped bob- 

 white quail were released by the Alabama Unit in 

 an effort to build up the wintering- population and 

 test the winter carying- capacity of tlie habitat 

 under study. In December of 1!)61, a total of ii99 

 quail were present, as compared with the 11-year 

 average of 119. Hunting- subsequently accounted 

 for 101, but only 119 were present in the spring 

 of 1962, leaving 79 unaccounted for. Then 110 of 

 the surviving quail were trapped and removed 

 from the area, leaving a known breeding popula- 

 tion of only 9 birds. It was determinetl in tlie trap- 



ping operation that 74 of the 79 birds unaccounted 

 for were pen-reared individuals released the pre- 

 vious fall. Tlie population in the fall of 196-2 com- 

 pared favorably with the wild populations of 

 1959-61, and was well above the 11-year average 

 of 119. 



Wild turkeij sfudicx. — A study b3' the Pennsyl-. 

 vania Unit indicated that the best wild-turkey 

 range in Cameron County has four important char- 

 acteristics; (1) a diversified physiography, (2) 

 available water, (3) diversified forest-plant com- 

 munities, and (4) good I'oosting cover. 



The wild turkey has been studied extensively by the Virginia. Pennsylvania, and Missouri l^nits, and findings from 

 these investigations have provided much of the information now used in the management of the species. (Photo 

 byF. B. McMurry) 



31 



