REPORT OF BOARD OP FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS. 29 



one male to five hens, except in two pens, where eight and ten hens 

 respectively were confined. From both of these pens eggs were taken 

 equaling in fertility those taken from the pens in which there was a 

 lesser number of female birds. Experiments along this line will be 

 carried on during the next summer. 



In raising pheasants it is very important to guard against the young 

 birds' getting hold of any of the burrs of the burr clover, as these burrs 

 lodge in the throat and if not removed — an operation that can be per- 

 formed with the aid of a small pair of ph3'sician's forceps — will cause 

 death. 



On account of the difficulty of securing valley quail for breeding pur- 

 poses, a fair test was not made with these birds, though it is believed 

 that they can be easily raised. Of the few eggs secured, 90 per cent 

 of those that were fertile hatched. As soon as hatched the chicks were 

 put into a fireless brooder made of feather dusters. Ninety were raised 

 out of 181 hatched. Extensive experiments in the raising of valley quail 

 will be carried on during the next year. 



No success attended experiments with the Gambel or desert quail. All 

 but three of the female birds died, and on dissection it was found that 

 although eggs had developed, owing to some unknown trouble, probably 

 due to a change in climatic or food conditions, the birds were unable to 

 lay them. The male birds are more hard}^ and practically none have 

 died. 



No attempt was made to raise a great number of wild turkeys, as the 

 stock at the farm has been greatly run down. These birds are easy to 

 raise and should new breeding stock be secured next year a great many 

 birds could be raised for liberation. 



