32 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



the flood of 1937 we thought we had seen the highest water we would 

 ever have. However, the 1940 flood was four feet higher, even exceed- 

 ing the record flood of 1907. The newly finished superintendent's 

 house on Gray Lodge Refuge had been built, we believed, so that the 

 floor would be at least 18 inches above the highest flood. At its peak the 

 water was 19 feet deep in the house. Fortunately, very little damage 

 resulted. 



QUAIL 



The status of our chief upland game bird is not satisfactory. There 

 remains much work to be done and it is for this reason that we have 

 undertaken an extensive study with Pittman-Robertson funds of the 

 quail problem and we hope it will bring about results satisfactory to 

 the thousands of our sportsmen. Whether the situation is caused by 

 disease can not be stated at the present time, but we are aware of con- 

 ditions and will carry on until w^e know the cause and, we hope, the 

 cure. Excellent work can be done in improving quail conditions by 

 the development of w^ater, feed, cover and roosting places and in trap- 

 ping birds in heavily stocked localities and transferring them to areas 

 that are underpopulated. 



DOVES 



In certain parts of California the mourning dove is the main game 

 bird. In years past when the season opened well ahead of September, 

 doves were being reduced in numbers but since September 1st was 

 made the opening date, the supply has remained constant and in 

 sections has increased. In the greater part of the State, unless the 

 season opens the first of September, there is very limited hunting. 

 The nesting season is then over and the birds leave the locality where 

 they have been abundant. Probably the greatest concentration area 

 is in Imperial Valley. In that section the season can be opened the 

 first of October and the hunters be assured of good shooting on 

 practically any day of the season. 



PIGEONS 



The success of the pigeon hunter depends greatly upon the 

 abundance of feed. In the areas commonly frequented by these birds, 

 unless there is a good supply of acorns and berries, there will be few 

 birds. Usually the best hunting is in the lower central coast counties. 

 Last year in the Pleyto section in southern Monterey and northern San 

 Luis Obispo counties, more than 20,000 pigeons were taken during the 

 open season. In doing so hunters used more than 14,000 boxes of 

 shells. Pigeons are not the easiest of game birds to hit. We are sure 

 that this kill did not injure the supply as the birds were as abundant 

 by the end of the season as at the beginning. 



PHEASANTS 



The ring-necked pheasant can now be considered as a thoroughly 

 established game bird in our State, particularly in that section where 

 rice growing is carried on. No less than 125,000 birds are taken 

 annually. In that part of the Sacramento Valley covered by flood 

 waters in the Spring of 1940 there was a heavy loss of birds. However, 



