REPOKT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 67 



around Mount Shasta and in the Tahoe region. It was represented to 

 us that the birds could be secured without difficulty in the vicinity of 

 Nome. We contracted for fifty pairs at $10 per pair, but not a bird was 

 received. We renewed our efforts in the summer of 1904. We have 

 again secured the necessary permits to trap the birds and have them 

 shipped, at the same figure, and it is hoped that at least a portion of 

 them will arrive. 



Early in this year, a deputy of this Board, H. T. Payne, was sent to 

 Mexico to secure specimens of the quail of that country, believing that 

 they would find a congenial breeding-place in our interior valleys. 

 Owing to the continued drought that had prevailed in that countr}^ for 

 a number of years, which interfered with the mating and breeding, he 

 was successful only to a limited degree. Mr. Payne brought back with 

 him al)0ut four dozen of the Callipepla elegcms, or Elegant quail, 

 from the State of Sonora, Mexico. These have been placed in localities 

 where they will receive protection and where the conditions are similar 

 to those from which they were taken. It is yet too early to determine 

 the results from this small number, but it is hoped that they will 

 propagate. 



A number of Chinese quail that were brought into this State for 

 market purposes were seized by deputies of this Board; arrests followed 

 and the possessors of the l)irds were convicted and paid substantial 

 fines. Several hundred of these quail were liberated in different parts 

 of the State. They were in evidence for a short time, but seem to have 

 totally disappeared. 



In our opinion the bob white quail would be a valuable acquisition to 

 our' game birds. This variety is well adapted to the stul)ble fields and 

 river bottoms of our great valleys, differing in that respect from our 

 mountain and valley quail, both of which prefer the mountains and 

 hilly sections. Much has been written and argued about the damage 

 done to grapes and in grain fields by quail, but our observations and 

 experience do not support the contentions. 



FISH AND GAME PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS. 



In many sections of the State, Fish and Game Protective Associa- 

 tions have been organized during the past few years. They have 

 exerted a wholesome and salutary influence in building up a local sen- 

 timent in favor of the fish and game laws, and have in many cases 

 been of great assistance to our regular deputies. These clubs and asso- 

 ciations are in the main composed of the most intelligent and loyal 

 people in their respective sections, who understand the value and impor- 

 tance of protecting the fish and game, and the necessity for the restric- 

 tions. Manv of the associations are in the mountain counties and are 



