io PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



the question is how to secure breeding-stock. In the case 

 of various foreign species, notably pheasants and the gray 

 or Hungarian partridge, these are readily purchased. With 

 native species, however, the case is different. Most States 

 have forbidden the shipment and sale of native game. There 

 is an occasional game commissioner or chief warden who 

 grants special permission to secure a few birds for propaga- 

 tion only. 



Though there is a real difficulty at present, the problem 

 will undoubtedly soon be solved. Laws are being passed 

 in various states to encourage, under proper supervision 

 and regulation, the propagation of game as an industry. 

 Many people are now making small beginnings, and before 

 long will have breeding-stock for sale. The high prices for 

 live birds will for some time to come make it more profitable 

 to sell them for breeding than for food purposes, except with 

 such common species as the ring-necked pheasant and the 

 mallard. 



Respect Law. It is from every standpoint undesirable 

 to take eggs or catch birds contrary to law. If every one 

 should begin doing this it would result in a great decrease 

 of species already too scarce. 



Starting. A start could often be made with birds taken 

 in the hunting season slightly wounded in the wing. Breed- 

 ing of the ruffed grouse was begun in this way by F. N. 

 Manross, of Forestville, Connecticut, who was the first 

 actually to raise the species artificially in the State. If not 

 thus used, the birds would have been killed and eaten, and 

 surely they served a much more useful purpose for propa- 

 gation and public education than for the pot. The author- 

 ities granted permission to hold these birds in possession. 

 Dr. C. F. Hodge secured special permission to take a few 

 eggs with which to begin his epoch-making experiments. 



