94 



nsii AM) (;ami: commission 



they increased at tlio rate of sixteen for each pair while llie av<'rage 

 for (juail and pheasants was eiprht. 



Their natnral lialtitat is llie rollinji liills and ^rain fiehls that was 

 formerly the home of the native prairie chicken. On the winjr they 

 are a match for the speed and ennninp of the hoh white or California 

 valley qnail. Anolher feature of this bird is the fact that Ihey do not 

 con<;rep:ate in nnml)ers durinn; tiie winter. The family, under tlip guid- 

 ance of the two parents, remains as a family until the matinp: season. 



Fig. 35. Hungarian partridges being received at 



direct trora Europe. 



the Yountville Game Farm 



The Chukor is another partridge, native of India, that has proven 

 his worth as a game bird. They differ from the Hungarian in that they 

 may be produced on a game farm in numbers like quail or pheasants. 

 They seem to thrive under domestic conditions and yet it does not 

 break down any of their natural instincts as a game bird. Attempts 

 at breeding the Hungarian under domestic conditions have invariably 

 met with defeat. 



The bamboo partridge, native of Asia, as its name suggests, lives in 

 the cane or bamboo thickets. But it has been found that willow thickets 

 appeal to the bird and they make themselves at home when transplanted 

 into this sort of cover. They are fast, but not as liberal in production 

 as the Hungarian or Chukor. The average nest contains about seven 

 eggs. 



The Division of Fish and Game has inaugurated a systematic plan 

 of importing a certain number of partridges each year for a period of 

 five years. These birds will be released in suitable cover and given the 

 hest possible protection. It is planned to produce the Chukor on our 

 game farms. 



CALIFORNIA VALLEY QUAIL 



The natural stock of this fine game bird is still sufficient, but needs a 

 lot of real help. In some sections they are more than plentiful. Trap- 

 ping from the over-populated areas will help a lot and these birds can 



