HDNGARIAN PARTRIDGE PLANTING - ELGIN COUNTY, MARCH, I960 



Forty -nine "Ifiins" (25 ^^'^ and 2^^ $9) were live trapped in the 

 Keraptville District during the latter part of March and held in outside 

 cages. 



While in captivity, they were fed crushed grain and lettuce. 

 On March 28th they were fed and watered and in the evening at 

 9 p.m. were placed in chick cartons - 8 birds to a carton (2 to a compartment) 

 and stored in an unheated garage. 



At 7 a.m. March 29th they were loaded in a station wagon and 

 transported to Aylmer, a distance of almost ^-00 miles. The windows and 

 rear door of the vehicle were open enroute. 



At Aylmer they were stored overnight in an unheated garage until 

 release the next morning. 



Following is a summary of hours in captivity and transit. 

 March 28-29th in cartons 10 hours 



I4arch 29th in transit 10 hours 15 minutes 



March 29-30th in cartons 15 hours 



March 30 in transit ^., 30 minutes 



Total time in confinement 35 hours *+5 minutes 



After almost 36 hours in shipping cartons, without food and water, 

 the birds were in excellent condition. All were released at the same site. 

 When the boxes were opened, they "exploded" into the air, formed a covey, 

 landed within 200 yards and began to call and forage immediately. 



The release site chosen was a field of high stubble with some waste 

 grain and an abundance of green grass and other herbs in evidence. Mixed 

 farming is carried on in the area - crops include spring and fall grain, hay, 

 corn, and small fruits. Medium sized fields predominate separated by 

 hedgerows and a few small woodlots. 



Topography - The release site is situated on a high gravel ridge H.W. of 

 Sparta - Lot 17 N. Cone IV Yarmouth Township (approx. ^ rd. north of Lake 

 Erie). The ridge is 875 A. S.L. and extends east and west of the site for 8 

 miles. The birds have access to high land extending to the north and to 

 lower flat lands extending to the lake bank at the 700 level. There is ample 

 opportunity for the birds to extend their range in any direction. 



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