A LOOK BACKWARD $21 



years that it has been imported in considerable numbers, 

 the earliest importations having taken place in 1905 or 

 '06. It is reported to have done well, and by many is 

 believed to be the coming game bird. 



Besides those named, few foreign game birds have 

 been introduced, and those in small numbers only. Mr. 

 W. W. Thomas many years ago was instrumental in 

 importing and liberating in Maine some capercailzie 

 and black game. Black game was also imported and 

 turned loose on the Island of Newfoundland. So far 

 as known, nothing was ever heard of the birds. Much 

 later, some capercailzie were imported and turned out 

 in Algonquin Park, in Canada, whence for several 

 years reports have come of young broods seen. Some 

 European grouse, including, we believe, ryper, black 

 game and capercailzie, were turned out on Grand Island 

 in Lake Superior, but these have all disappeared. 



Most of the efforts at restocking our covers with 

 exotic birds have been carried on in an unintelligent and 

 aimless way. The belief seems to prevail that because 

 our native species have disappeared while game birds 

 in Great Britain are still so abundant that good shooting 

 can generally be had therefore these foreign species 

 are more prolific and better fitted to survive than our 

 native birds. People who reason in this way forget the 

 widely different conditions prevailing in the two coun- 

 tries the great size of the land holdings in Great 

 Britain compared with those in this country, the fact 

 that trespass laws are there strictly enforced, and the 

 further fact that game is there regarded as the personal 



