REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 137 



last session of the legislature to conform with the Federal Migratory- 

 Bird Law, thus prohibiting shooting during the month of February. 

 This, without doubt, has greatly increased the number of locally nest- 

 ing ducks and will probably, during the coming fall, make good 

 shooting in the early part of the season before the so-called "northern" 

 birds arrive. 



In the spring of 1916 there was a remarkable flight of jacfenipe in 

 the Livermore Valley, Alameda County. Thousands of birds appeared 

 and bag limits were the rule. In other sections this excellent game 

 bird appeared in fair numbers. On account of the Federal Migra- 

 tory Bird Law giving protection to all of the shore birds except the 

 black-breasted and golden plover, greater and lesser yellowlegs and 

 jacksnipe, and on account of the diiBculty the average hunter has in 

 identifying the different shore birds, it was recommended to the 

 Department of Agriculture that all shore birds except the jacksnipe 

 be included in the protected list. This has been done so that at present 

 the only shore bird upon which there is an open season in California 

 is the jacksnipe. Their open season is the same as that for ducks 

 and geese. 



Doves and Pigeons. There has been considerable increase in the 

 number of doves on account of the delaying of the open season until 

 September 1st. By that date most of the birds are through nesting 

 and the young birds have reached a sufficient size so that they are able 

 to look after themselves if the parents should be killed. It will take 

 a number of years to bring the doves back to their former numbers, 

 but if the present law is continued this will surely be accomplished. 



Band-tailed pigeons have been reported in increasing numbers in 

 many parts of the district and have been found nesting in sections 

 where they were formerly not supposed to breed. The delayed protec- 

 tion given this species has, without doubt, added greatly to the number 

 cf birds and will mean their perpetuation as a game bird. 



Introduced Game. Several years ago a small plant of wild turkeys 

 was made in the western part of Sonoma County. It is claimed by 

 liarties living in that region that there are now several hundred birds 

 thoroughly wild. Another plant, made in Humboldt County, is re- 

 ported to have been almost as successful. If the birds in these 

 sections continue to increase, all of the money expended by the com- 

 mission in turkey experiments will have been well spent and by 

 drawing on these regions turkeys can be secured for stocking other 

 sections adapted to them. 



Respectfully submitted. 



(Signed) J. S. Hunter, 



Assistant Executive Officer. 



