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FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



our own borders. The fact that our own native species have been 

 eliminated by this condition of agriculture automatically disqualifies 

 them for competition. At the present time two birds offer themselves 

 as candidates for this job. One is the ring-necked pheasant and the 

 other the Hungarian partridge. Both have qualified and made good 

 to the entire satisfaction of sportsmen in many localities. 



The ring-neck comes to us from one of the oldest civilizations of 

 which we have any record, and the Hungarian is likewise well acquainted 

 with civilized conditions. Much has been written concerning the 

 Introduction of exotic species and many arguments have been put 

 forth both for and against. But the fact remains that most civilized 

 countries are now using both of these game birds as the two major 

 elements in their programs of restocking. 



Because of its breeding habits, being polygamous, the ring-necked 

 pheasant lends itself to any program of artificial propagation better 

 than most any other bird. Under ordinary conditions the pheasant 



Fig. 29. Valley quail are raised at Yountville Game Farm. These are ready for 

 planting. Photograph by Sidney Snow. 



hen will lay at least fifty eggs for the season and the fertility will 

 average 85 per cent. This is an increase of three times their natural 

 reproduction in their native wild state. 



The Hungarian partridge has long been considered by sportsmen 

 the gamest bird found in the fields, and very well equipped in every 

 way to take care of himself. Then, too, they are very prolific, and in a 

 very short time will populate any area into which they are transplanted. 

 In the past ten or twelve years many thousands of them have been 

 brought into different parts of North America and in all cases they 

 have multiplied rapidly. Our own neighboring states of Oregon and 

 Washington are nearby examples of what this bird means to the pleasure 

 of the s"por tsmen. 



