CHAPTER I 



GENERAL METHODS 



Experimental work has shown that all our wild gallina- 

 ceous species have very much in common, and that much 

 the same general methods, varied more or less in minor 

 details, are adapted to them all. Hence it will be well to 

 consider at the outset methods which apply to all species. 



Natural and Artificial. First, then, we come to the broad 

 distinction between natural and artificial methods. The 

 latter signifies the propagation and rearing of birds in 

 confinement or under restraint; the former that they are 

 free and propagate in the state of nature, though protected 

 and assisted as much as possible. Both systems have ad- 

 vantages and special uses. In some cases one or the other 

 is impracticable. In some wild, wooded districts only natural 

 methods may apply. On the other hand, near populous 

 centres, where birds in the wild state would inevitably suc- 

 cumb or be driven off, it may be possible to rear them in 

 large enclosures. Again, circumstances may favour a com- 

 bination of the two methods, and the birds, artificially 

 started, may be liberated, and furnish breeding-stock for 

 natural increase, while some may be retained for artificial 

 breeding. 



Artificial Method Important. There is a way in which 

 methods of artificial propagation may prove of great im- 

 portance in naturalizing in a locality gallinaceous birds, 

 even of new species, which otherwise could not be induced 



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