63 TIfE AMEh'ICAN MUSEU}f JOJ'nXAL 



ing breeding time, and each pair nnist ilc\('lo|)iii(Mits of |i()|(iil;ii' studv of wiM 

 have a considerable area entirely to lii rds. It is ii I'cal ddiglit to see one".- 

 itself. The common native wild C-an- uw n ln-oods of plicasants or quails feed- 

 ada goose breeds readily in captivity. ing on tlic lawn or in the ])astnr('. or 

 bnt thus far there have been very few one's own wild dncks swiinniing trust- 

 instances of other species of American fully to tlicii' pi-otcctor on the ])ond 

 wild geese breeding in ca])livity. The .-liorc asking for food. — the same wild 

 same is true of our wild swans, 'i'lici'c game species, it may be. tliat one luis 

 is here a large field for ex peri mental liunted in gloriinis bygone days afield, 

 research. 1 speak from ha])py experience, as can 

 Practical ])]-ojiagation of u|iland many otbci's. ;ind I advise lovers of the 

 game birds and wild watertowl by the great outdoors and its wild dem'zens to 

 public is now an accomplished fact, and try for ilieniM'hcs this new intimate 

 is one of the most fascinating nioderu I'elat ionslii ji witli \\ild bii'd life.^ 



1 EeaHzJng that "game farii)ing" is proving one of the very best means of interesting the 

 public in wild bird life, its conservation and increase, the National Association of Audubon 

 Societies more than three years ago founded its "Department of Applied Ornithology," in 

 charge of the writer, the purpose of which is to interest and instinct the public in practical 

 measures to increase wild bird life. These measures include attracting, feeding, and pro- 

 tecting wild birds in general, and the direct propagation of those kinds amenable to such 

 measures. Besides employing various lines of instruction, such as publications, inspections, 

 correspondence, lectures, photographs, and motion pictures of wild bird life, the department 

 lias been enabled to secure and conduct a demonstration and experiment station in applied 

 ornithology, which includes, among other branches, "game farming." This is at Amston, 

 Connecticut, and is the property of Mr. Charles M. Ams, of New York City, who has placed 

 it at our disposal, with generous aid in various Avays. The tract embraces about three square 

 miles of beautiful diversified country abounding in bird life, and is the natural haunt of a 

 good variety of wild game. It includes a picturesque wooded lake more than a mile long, which 

 wild fowl frequent, and also other smaller ponds. Here we have begun various lines of bird 

 work, including the breeding of several kinds of game birds and of wild ducks. In a fenced 

 pond and swamp, an enclosure of several acres, ai-e kept fifteen species of wild ducks for 

 propagation experiments, including a fine stock of canvasbacks. 



The problem of wintering wild ducks in cold latitudes has always been a serious one, and 

 this experiment station has already hit upon a method which furnishes a real solution. This 

 is an aquatic house built on posts out from the shore of the pond. It is a simple structure, 

 twenty-four by sixteen feet, boarded doAvn into the water to Avithin less than a foot of the 

 bottom of the pond, thence Avith Avire to a board sunk into the mud. It faces south, Avith 

 four large frame AvindoAvs in front and one on the Avest side. Within, tAvo thirds of the 

 area is a SAvimming pool, the remainder a dry platform, on Avhich the ducks come out to feed 

 and rest. The sunshine pours in so effectively that the Avater never freezes although there is 

 no artificial heat, and outside in miclAvinter the ice freezes tAvo feet thick, Avith the mercury 

 at times fifteen degrees beloAV zero. The deep-Avater or diving ducks ahvays have been the 

 especial problem. If kept out of Avater during winter their feet are apt to freeze, and be- 

 come sore and lame, as these birds are not Avell adapted to much Avalking. The neAv plan 

 Avinters tliem and every other species in the most com.fortable fashion. Even the most tender 

 species, such as the blue-Avinged teal, thrive under it. I consider it very much better than to 

 try to make the ducks live outdoors all winter in a little air hole in the ice Avhich they keep 

 open by sAvimming aroimd all the time, getting frozen in during severe spells and needing to 

 be chopped out in the morning, often with vitality greatly reduced by spring, making them 

 unfit to breed. By this neAV plan they come through in sjdendid condition. 



The department, during the summer, while the breeding and rearing are under Avay, 

 gives instruction in practical details of propagation of game birds and Avild AvaterfoAvl, and 

 of attracting wild birds, and all persons Avho are interested in such matters and desire to 

 learn are welcome to come to the game farm at Amston. It is planned during the coming 

 season to hold regular summer school sessions. The tract has just been made a State Game 

 Preserve and Sanctuary, one of the largest in Connecticut. All the propagation or "game 

 farming," and the more important features connected Avith it, are within easy Avalking distance 

 of Amston railway station, Avhich is on the Air Line Division of the Ncav Haven Railroad, 

 between NeAV Haven and Willimantic, ten miles from the latter. Those Avho desire it Avill be 

 Avell cared for at the Amston Inn. The National Association of Audubon Societies has a 

 residence at headquarters, called the "Audubon House," Avhere visitors are received, and 

 Avhere are collections of pictures, and of mounted birds, also books and publications relating 

 to bird life. The Avriter Avill gladly ansAver inquiries addressed to the Ncav York office of the 

 Association, 1974 BroadAvay, or to his home at West Haven, Connecticut. — The ArTHOR. 



