^°^m4^^] Recent Literature. 271 



" These species represent only a small number of the birds which have 

 been observed but not taken for identification." — W. L. M. 



Report on Introduced Pheasants in Massachusetts.' — There has 

 recently been printed as Document No. 2049 of the Massachusetts House 

 of Representatives, a valuable summary of the history of introduced 

 pheasants within the state. Originally introduced in 1896, from 100 to 

 2500 have been Hberated annually by the Game Commissioners, and the 

 bird is now fairly common. The report touches upon the use of pheas- 

 ants as game in other countries and other parts of the United States. 

 Details are given of the life history, and methods adopted in rearing the 

 birds. The special adaptability of pheasants to artificial propagation is 

 the prime reason for their extensive distribution. 



An open season on pheasants was allowed during only one j^ear since 

 their introduction. The birds increased and reports of damage began 

 to come in. The Commission says: " During the past two years numerous 

 complaints have been made relative to damage to farm crops. Many verbal 

 complaints have been received of which we have no record. Of the formal 

 reports which have been filed at this office, 21 persons complained of damage 

 to corn, 15 to garden truck, 3 to peas, 2 to tomatoes, 2 to fruit, 1 to potatoes. 

 In many instances the potential value of the crop partiallj' or wholly de- 

 stroyed reaches several hundred dollars, instances being cited where three 

 entire plantings of early sweet corn were pulled up. In some cases fictitious 

 claims have been made, where the damage attributed to the pheasants was 

 done by domestic fowl and by crows. There is no question that in certain 

 locaUties where the pheasants have increased abnormally very great 

 damage may result unless an eff'ective check is applied, and while in many 

 instances real damage has been done to crops, we have many unsolicited 

 testimonials to the fact that pheasants, though numerous, have never 

 done appreciable damage." 



Examination by the Biological Survey of stomachs collected at locaUties 

 where damage to crops was attributed to the birds, resulted in the following 

 shomng: 37 percent of the food counts in the bird's favor; 27 percent is 

 adverse, and the remainder practically neutral. Many notes on pheasant 

 food based on field observations and on a few other stomach analj'ses are 

 included. 



The most interesting part of the pheasant report comprises the able 

 recommendations regarding public policy in relation to the bird. " Apart 

 from the insect-eating capacity of the bird, it has a high food value as a 

 table bird. The present market price is $2.50 to $3 a pair, and many 

 thousand dollars' worth of pheasants are imported annually. 



" It would be logical, therefore to increase as much as possible the number 



> Special Report of the Massachusetts Board of Commissioners on Fisheries 

 and Game, relative to the Habits of those birds commonly known as Pheasants. 

 Doc. 2049 Mass. House of Representatives, 1914. 



