THIRTY-FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT 39 



trolled natural propagation to supplement the production of its game 

 farms, particularly where native species are concerned. 



A limited quail trapping program was carried on in the fall of 

 1937. Less than one thousand birds were trapped and reliberated in 

 selected areas, all birds being banded with State bands so that it 

 will be possible to follow their movements and get some idea concern- 

 ing the percentage of kill during the open season. The trapping pro- 

 gram will be prosecuted with the utmost vigor during the 1938 and 

 1939 seasons and we feel sure that by the end of the next biennium 

 it will have become a permanent and valuable part of our game bird 

 propagation set-up. 



Believing that the experimental work on Chukar Partridges dur- 

 ing the past five or six years justifies increased production and dis- 

 tribution, we have added more mating pens and increased the breeding 

 stock several fold at both Game Farms. 



Reports from various sections of the State where these birds have 

 been liberated in the past five or six years seem to indicate that the 

 birds are taking hold and multiplying well in the wild state. It is 

 felt that this bird will fill a vacant niche in the upland game bird pro- 

 gram of California. 



These birds seem well suited for arid regions and for that reason 

 there is justification for increased production and distribution of these 

 fine game birds. 



Due to the popularity of the bird with the average sportsmen, 

 pressure is beine' continually brought to bear on the farms to produce 

 more of these birds. 



Shortly after the opening of the pheasant shooting season a few 

 years ago. it became apparent to upland game bird shooters that a 

 hunting dog was absolutely necessary for good field sport. 



In the past three years the breeding of hunting dogs has become 

 a real business. Activity along this line is best reflected in the num- 

 ber and quality of field trials held in various parts of the State. 

 Believing that the use of hunting dogs is a real conservation measure 

 we have, to some extent, advocated the breeding of dogs and holding of 

 field trials. To this end, we have agreed to furnish and handle the 

 birds for five major trials during the year. Two of these trials are 

 held in the south and three in the northern part of the State. Each 

 year the number of dogs participating in these field trials has increased. 



Dog owners from Oregon, Washington and Idaho have participated 

 in many of these trials, especially during the last two years. There 

 is no question that the use of hunting dogs is a real conservation 

 measure. Not only does the use of hunting dogs save time for the 

 hunter, but they also more than pay for their upkeep by retrieving 

 crippled birds that would otlierwise be lost. 



Tlie following table sliows the egg production and general dis- 

 tribution of birds for the biennium. 



Eggs Eggs Birds 



Jaid drstrihuted liberated 



Ring-necked Pheasant, 



Mongolian Pheasant ami 



Reeves Pheasant 166,096 27,304 49,843 



Partridges 25,797 4,941 



Quail 90,399 11,151 27,150 



