them away, and a quail or partridge is a rare sight in this vicinity 

 at the present time.' In the great majority of instances, however 

 these are to be ascribed to incomplete observations. In the neigh- 

 borhood of cities and towns quail disappear on account of the 

 multitude of cats and other enemies. The ruffed grouse disappear 

 with the destruction of the covers, and their place is taken by the 

 pheasant, which has the power to increase under conditions so un- 

 favorable that quail and ruffed grouse have been extirpated. Over 

 against this testimony is the observation in Oregon, w^here in the 

 Williamette Valley there is a dense bird population, made up of 

 pheasants, ruffed grouse and at least two varieties of cpiail, all of 

 which are living together in harmony. In places, however, where 

 there would be a competition for food, doubtless the pheasant, 

 being the stronger bird, would displace the quail, though in general 

 there should be abundant food for both these species. 

 Still more conclusive evidence is found in the fact that British records, 

 carefully kept, show that there has been no diminution in the numbers of 

 native grouse and quail despite the enormous numbers of pheasants that 

 are bred on the isles each year. It must be remembered in this connection 

 that the pheasant is no more native to Great Britain than to the United 

 States. 



