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Bird - Lore 



THE AMSTON EXPERIMENT STATION 



Readers of Bird-Lore, and of the Annual 

 Report of the National Association, are 

 aware that Mr. Charles M. Ams has ac- 

 quired an immense tract of virtually wild 

 land in eastern Connecticut, and has fitted 

 up in one of the lakes within it a model 

 breeding-place for wild ducks to be cul- 

 tivated in captivity. Mr. Ams has now 



portance. The planting of food-bearing 

 vegetation will be carried out in a way to 

 teach the public what and how to plant. 

 For beginning the propagation of wild 

 water-fowl an ideal small pond and adjoin- 

 ing swamp- and grass-land have been en- 

 closed with a seven-foot, vermin-proof 

 fence. A water-fowl breeding-house out in 



SCENE IN THE GLASS BREEDING-HOUSE AT AMSTON 



When this photograph was taken, ten species of Ducks were swimming about in comfort, although the 



temperature outside was 15° below zero 



declared the entire tract a wild-life sanc- 

 tuary, and has posted it accordingly. Fur- 

 ther, he has signed an agreement giving the 

 National Association of Audubon Societies 

 full use of the property as a sanctuary and 

 experiment station under the oversight of 

 Herbert K. Job. Mr. Ams pays all expenses 

 for work mutually agreed upon, and pro- 

 vides the necessary labor, including the 

 services of an expert game-keeper. 



At the Experiment Station nesting and 

 feeding devices will be placed with a view 

 of collecting various data of practical im- 



the pond, with glass front, comprising a 

 swimming-pool and float, has been con- 

 structed, and the breeding stock already 

 obtained has wintered finely. It consists 

 of most of the more important and valuable 

 species of North American wild Ducks, and 

 some other water-birds. Unusual facili- 

 ties will be afforded for scientific and 

 practical studies, including the growing of 

 aquatic food-plants. 



Stocks of the Bob-white and of the 

 Scaled Partridge or 'Blue Quail' have been 

 secured, and cooperative experimental 



