54 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



ing standard pens according to specifications furnished by this bureau. 

 Bakersfield, through its sportsmen's organization and the Chamber of 

 Commerce, provided twenty pens, the largest number of any com- 

 munity. Other localities have fallen into line with from five to ten 

 pens. All of these projects have been supplied with birds and yet the 

 number reared annually at the farms has not decreased. Plans are 

 being worked out for the further organization of this work to increase 

 even more the number of birds liberated each year. The whole-hearted 

 support given this work insures its success. 



DEVELOPMENT OF QUAIL SANCTUARIES 



Early in 1931 it was decided that much more effort would be 

 devoted to the development of quail, both at our game farms, and by 

 the creation of closed sanctuaries where the output of our farms could 

 be planted under the very best of conditions. These areas in many 

 cases were former quail grounds that has been depleted either by over- 

 shooting, or the taking away of the natural flow of streams for irriga- 

 tion purposes. 



In many cases water has been developed or provided by tapping 

 pipe lines so that each area of the sanctuary will have ample water 

 for the maximum bird population. In these areas the birds will have 

 the utmost protection and allowed to breed and multiply naturally so 

 that the adjoining territory, which will be open to shooting in season, 

 will soon become populated. To further develop and protect these 

 closed areas, a trapper will have charge of as many areas as can be 

 conveniently handled, and the natural enemies of the birds put under 

 control. It is believed this plan will offer the birds not only a safe 

 home where conditions will he as good as can be possibly made, but 

 that the trapper will become an important factor in their protection 

 from all their enemies. 



In addition to the game birds produced and liberated for stocking 

 purposes it has been the custom of the Bureau of Game Farms to pro- 

 vide a certain number of birds each year to be distributed to city 

 parks and used as educational exhibits. Many of the cities of the State, 

 both small and large, now have from six to a dozen or more pens of 

 these birds under the supervision of a keeper and many people who 

 are not able to get out into the fields have an opportunity to become 

 acquainted with such birds as the silver, golden, Amherst, Reeves, 

 Mongolian, ring-neck pheasants, California valley quail, and many 

 other types of birds not included in the game bird family. This 

 feature of the work has proven beneficial from an educational stand- 

 point. 



Another educational feature that has been carried on for the 

 past six years, and proven its worth in an educational way, is the sys- 

 tem of exhibits at State, county and local fairs. In many cases the 

 local fair associations have provided permanent pens, especially for 

 this yearly exhibit of game birds produced on our farms. These fair 

 exhibits have created much enthusiasm among sportsmen, not only 

 from the point of interest naturally attached to game birds, but also 

 first-hand information on the equipment and methods used in game 

 bird propagation. An attendant is always present to explain and go 

 into the details of all phases of game bird propagation. This feature 



