20 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



interest of all concerned not to lose valuable property, es- 

 pecially as much of the loss could be prevented by reason- 

 able precautions. One firm of game dealers have written 

 me that they have recently prepared published instructions 

 for their agents. In brief, the instructions should require 

 that captured birds should be kept on fresh ground, in en- 

 closures of fair size, with alternation of pens or change of 

 the location of these ; that the method of feeding prescribed 

 should be followed; the proper area needed for a certain 

 number of birds should be defined; and that crates not new 

 should be cleaned and disinfected before birds are shipped 

 in them. The observance of such regulations would do much 

 to prevent disease in shipments of quails. 



Securing Stock. The present demand for quails for 

 breeding is so great that prices are very high, ruling at two 

 to three dollars per bird. These rates may lessen when quail 

 breeding becomes more general and people sell stock that 

 they raise. Quails are largely monogamous, and should be 

 bought with sexes in equal numbers. Naturally it is best to 

 secure stock from as near home as possible, though in view 

 of some successful ventures with southern birds in the North, 

 one need not hesitate to buy southern, or even Mexican, 

 stock, if no other can be secured. 



Cooperation from Authorities. Inasmuch as the public 

 are bound to breed quails, it would be well for such states 

 as have game farms, in regions where quails are found 

 naturally, to secure native acclimated stock in their own 

 locality, breed and rear quails as will be described, and dis- 

 tribute the stock to persons interested and responsible who 

 will undertake breeding operations. Proper persons should 

 be licensed to capture and keep a specified number of quails 

 under official supervision. Birds are for the benefit of man- 

 kind, and surely it is, to say the least, as beneficial to allow 



