26 FOOD OF WEST VIKGIMA BIRDS 



Propagation of Useful Species. 



The propagation of certain useful species of Game Birds should be 

 taken up in this chapter on the Protection of Birds. In many sections 

 of our country much work is being done along this line. Not only 

 are means used that our wild song and insectivorous and granivorous 

 birds may increase in their native woodlands and fields, but experiments 

 are being tried out for the propagation of song birds, under more or 

 less artificial conditions; water-fowl are being reared in large numbers 

 in certain places that have been prepared with this end in view; and 

 game birds of native and imported species are being propagated under 

 natural and artificial conditions as never before. In the introduction 

 to his excellent book entitled, "The Propagation of Wild Birds." Mr. 

 Herbert K. Job, Economic Ornithologist in Charge of the Department 

 of Applied Ornithology of the National Association of Audubon Societies, 

 has said, "The actual propagation of edible species for purposes of 

 food or financial profit is receiving a great impetus these days, and 

 is becoming an important industry. Wild Ducks and Pheasants are 

 raised in large numbers for the market. Farmers and youths are begin- 

 ning to propagate 'game' as a side line for profit, and in some cases add 

 neat sums to their incomes. To supply the wide demand for breeding- 

 stock people here and there are beginning to experiment with vari-us 

 species, often with considerable success. Such efforts will also help 

 'M extend the range and increase the numbers of these birds. Farmers 

 cm make it a source of revenue to protect or propagate game on their 

 iand either for purposes of sale or to lease out the hunting privilege." 

 In going over the interesting pages of the book from which the quota- 

 tion has just been given, I have been amazed at the evidences of progress 

 that is being made along the lines of rearing many kinds of birds under 

 special natural and artificial care. An entire chapter, and that not a 

 brief one, is given to Quail propagation methods, and in this chapter it 

 is clearly shown how the Bob-white may be reared in captivity, though 

 it was once thought that this was impossible. In many places these 

 birds are increasing rapidly in their native fields because of the ade- 

 quate protection given them and in other places many are being reared 

 by artificial process. It is very interesting to see, now-a-days, pictures 

 in the various ornithological publications of great covies of Bob-whites 

 that have been reared in' this fashion. Some of the western Quail are 

 propagated in the same manner. The Ruffed Grouse, that fine game 

 bird originally so common among our West Virginia hills, is now being 

 propagated in captivity. Of this species Mr. Job says, in the volume 

 referred to above, "The wild, whirring creature of the forest, self-reliant 

 through its constant battle with innumerable dangers, is hardly recog- 

 nifcttble as the same when it learns to know man as a friend. It seems 

 characteristic of birds of this family to be capable of most remarkable 

 tajmeness, in contrast to the susposedly incurable wildness of their na- 

 tuiv. From the standpoint of Applied Ornithology they form a unique 

 ana peculiarly interesting group. ****** Tne general im- 

 pression of the whole tribe, from the standpoint of artificial propagation, 



