252 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



cause a change in the balance of nature, and will affect some native 

 forms of wild life. This adverse effect will likely apply to the Ruffed 

 Grouse itself, and the question will then be as to which species is 

 more desirable, the native Ruffed Grouse, or the foreign Pheasant. 

 The Pheasant is a beautiful and interesting bird, but it is doubtful 

 if its shooting affords as much real sport as the Ruffed Grouse. The 

 real sportsman measures his success more by the difficulties he has 

 overcome and intricate shots he has accomplished successfully than 

 by the size of his game or the number secured. It would be better, 

 therefore, to put time, money and effort into protecting and con- 

 serving the native Ruffed Grouse, than in introducing the foreign 

 Pheasant or other exotic species. 



While there is good ground for objection to the introduction of 

 foreign game birds, there ought to be none to the introduction of 

 species formerly native in the region. The Wild Turkey undoubtedly 

 occurred here many years ago. I am not aware that any attempt 

 has ever been made to introduce this species as a game bird 

 in regions where it was formerly common. It is now rare in most 

 regions to which it was indigenous, and perhaps is in danger of 

 extermination. Its preservation for the future should be of as 

 much value and interest as the preservation of bison and elk. It 

 might be difficult, and undoubtedly would be expensive, to obtain a 

 stock of these birds. The stock should be obtained from a region as 

 nearly like the Park as possible, one where there are deep snows in 

 winter, that the birds may be accustomed to living through a hard 

 season. Perhaps such conditions will be found in the higher parts 

 of the southern Appalachians. The birds should of course not be 

 hunted for many years, or until their introduction has proved wholly 

 successful. The food habits of the Wild Turkey should be studied, 

 particularly through the winter, and the birds fed when necessary 

 during the first few years at least. There is as much reason to 

 expect the introduction of this bird to be successful as that of the 

 Pheasant; and to the American nature lover its re-establishment in 

 its former haunts should be of great interest and a source of just 

 pride. 



The formation of lakes in the Park, aside from their many other 

 attractive features, will undoubtedly increase water birds, and it is 

 quite possible that some duck hunting will be available where there 

 is now none. Many migratory species of ducks, Canada Geese, 

 and even occasional swans are reported to occur along the Allegheny 

 River in the fall. Lakes will invite these birds to stop during migra- 

 tion. Water plants and aquatic life that will furnish food for these 

 birds should be encouraged, and perhaps introduced if they do not 

 establish themselves naturally. 



With the creation of lakes and ponds it would seem quite possible 

 to establish the Black Duck, and perhaps the Mallard, Blue-winged 

 Teal and Wood Duck as breeding birds in the Park. For such a 

 result the lakes must not be too much of the artificial reservoir type, 

 but the growth about their shores of natural grasses, sedges, and 

 swamp-loving shrubbery and plants should be encouraged. Leaving 



