90 REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



part birds were scarce. In the Suisun district shooting held up very 

 well on certain grounds, but was indifferent on others. In the Bay- 

 region shooting was good in the 1918-19 season, but in the 1919-20 

 season there were far less birds. 



It is probable that the early flights of birds on account of the scarcity 

 of open water went on through the state without stopping. With the 

 return of normal winters good hunting should be had in all the duck 

 districts. 



While the dry seasons have not been favorable for waterfowl they 

 have been excellent for quail. This with the late opening of the season, 

 the middle of November, has given the birds an opportunity to keep 

 ahead of the hunters and throughout the Coast district there has been 

 a notable increase. It is apparent that with favorable breeding seasons 

 and the continuance of the present law it will not be necessary to put 

 further restrictions in force in order to maintain a constant supply of 

 quail. 



Doves have increased in all parts of the state on account of the fact 

 that the law protects them during the greater part of the nesting season. 

 In certain sections nesting birds are found even later than the first of 

 September, but in most parts of tlie state the young are out of the nest 

 and very well able to take care of themselves by that date. "With the 

 present open season doves should increase as they are rather prolific 

 breeders and can stand a considerable drain. 



Mountain quail have increased very well both in the coast and the 

 Sierra regions. The mountain quail is one of the most interesting birds 

 in our state. Its cousin, the valley quail, will breed from sea level to 

 an elevation of over 7,000 feet, but the mountain quail in most of the 

 state practically never breeds below 2,000 feet except in the north coast 

 district. Just why this is so is one of the mysteries of nature. From 

 the human point of view there is no reason why congenial conditions 

 could not be found at a lower elevation. Food is abundant and the 

 temperature is not altogether different. 



The abundance of mountain quail depends more upon the mildness 

 of the winters than on hunting. A cold winter, with heavy snowfall, 

 sometimes wipes out entire coveys. The season for hunting mountain 

 quail in the Sierra districts, opens somewhat early. The young birds 

 have not fully developed by September 1st and should not be killed. 



Grouse are still commonly found in the pine belt but are not abund- 

 ant. The chief factor in preventing them from becoming more com- 

 mon is the grazing of sheep in their breeding range. Many nests are 

 destroyed by the sheep. 



Three species of game make California most attractive to the sports- 

 man—ducks, quail and deer. It is difficult to estimate the number of 



