REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. Ill 



money and energy expended. Two of the principal causes of failure 

 appear to be the lack of careful investigation of the inherent factors 

 limiting acclimatization and of the method of liberation. The suc- 

 cessful establishment of a species has been found to be possible under 

 favorable conditions, and ultimate success in acclimatizing foreign 

 species therefore lies in careful experimentation. But though accli- 

 matizing game birds is a possibility, it is an open question whether 

 it is desirable to supplant native species with foreign ones. The native 

 fauna is usually the most desirable, and the result of our finding 

 seems to show that California should take a stand with other states 

 in protecting her native game rather than attempting the introduc- 

 tion of foreign species. The valley quail is a better game bird than 

 the pheasant or any other foreign species. Concentration on methods 

 of conserving this bird is, therefore, more important than futile 

 attempts at acclimatization. In the increasing stocking experiments 

 carried on by individuals great encouragement may be found. Many 

 people now successfully propagate quail in captivity and liberate the 

 increase. 



The present status of the beaver in California, according to data 

 gathered in this office, is precarious. Colonies of this valuable fur- 

 bearer are few at the present time, and give promise of becoming even 

 more scarce. The Hudson Bay Company, when operating in Cali- 

 fornia, beginning in 1828, secured thousands of beaver skins each 

 year, and thereafter considerable numbers were taken each year by 

 trappers. Since 1911, however, it has been necessary to give total 

 protection to this animal, but even thus protected beavers do not 

 seem to have increased to any considerable extent. The few scattered 

 localities in which colonies are now to be found are shown on the 

 accompanying map (Fig. 67). In the San Joaquin and Sacramento 

 river basins, where beaver are most abundant, reclamation projects 

 are fast driving them to starvation, or to more limited quarters. The 

 total extirpation of the beaver in California is not far distant unless 

 further measures are taken for its protection. The bureau plans to 

 show the present status of many other game birds and mammals by 

 means of distribution maps similar to that giving the distribution of 

 beaver. 



Considerable complaint that blackbirds damage rice has been re- 

 ceived by the commission. Investigations show that the complaints 

 are well founded. Some sort of control measures should be instituted 

 8nd further investigations leading to the discovery of some practical 

 method of meeting the situation are planned. 



The chief forest deputies of the national forests of this state report 

 annually to the commission the game conditions in their districts. These 



