180 Game Survey of the North Central States 



child station in Marathon County three successive methods of feeding, depending 

 on the accumulating depth of the snow, were found necessary during the deep 

 snows of 1928-29. First came buckwheat, left standing in the food-patch which 

 had been planted in advance for the purpose. This was covered by one foot of 

 snow, but it remained effective up to two feet of snow, the birds digging for the 

 buckwheat after it had been covered up. 



A crust then forced the birds to resort to standing corn, which had been 

 planted and left in the field as the "second line of defence." This remained 

 effective up to about three feet of snow. 



Disappearance of the standing corn under the snow then forced the birds to 

 resort to shocked corn, but it was found they would not open the shocks for them- 

 selves (as a pheasant will). It was necessary to gradually open the shocks so 

 they could see and get at the grain. The shocked corn outlasted the winter. 



All the while grit was fed on a canvas spread on the snow and baited with 

 ear corn. The grit was regularly consumed. 



Two years ago stacked buckwheat was tried at Rothschild, but the chickens 

 would not open the stack for themselves. It had to be opened for them. 



In Portage County, cornstalks, with ears attached, were thrust upright into 

 the snow. This was effective, but renewals required considerable labor and 

 haulage. 



In Waushara County, corn shocks were opened gradually, and supplemented 

 by ear corn impaled on sticks set in the snow. The latter require constant renewal. 

 In Grant County, where the snow is usually less deep, a 2-acre buckwheat 

 patch sufficed for the first winter, and required no stacking or other attention. 

 Twelve corn shocks are provided for the following year. Whether they proved 

 more or less satisfactory than the buckwheat is not known. 



The 10 Wood County stations each consist of a patch of buckwheat, sweet 

 clover, and millet, part of the buckwheat having been stacked and opened from 

 time to time. 



The most gratifying development is the high radius of effectiveness of some 

 of these stations. 



At Rothschild chickens were observed to take wing for the feeding station 

 from five miles distant. This indicates that a single station may serve over 75 

 square miles, or two townships. 



In Portage County the birds also flew in to feed. They observed a definite 

 schedule, remaining at the station from 8:30 to 10 A.M. and from 1:30 to 3 P.M. 

 I understood that they flew directly from the station to the roost, which was in a 

 jack pine thicket. 



For winter food patches for all species Terrell advocates using Tartary 

 buckwheat (Fagopynum emarginatum) which is listed in U.S.D.A. Farmers 

 Bulletin 1062 as stiff stemmed and retentive of the grain (and is therefore better 

 in snow) . It has proved also palatable to the birds. 



