TEE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 417 



tions will become necessary regarding the marketing and ship- 

 ment of game. The hunting license, which is now finding 

 favor in many States, must be adopted everywhere. 



It is doubtful, however, if all these measures will result in 

 replenishing our woods with game in its former abundance. 

 The restocking of covers with birds from other States — 

 an excellent method, which has long been practised by game 

 protective associations — is likely to come to an end, for 

 already most States do not allow shipments of birds to points 

 outside the State boundaries. 



Artificial Propagation of Game Birds. 



The greatly increased demand for game birds must be met 

 by a new source of supply. The only promising method 

 available for restocking is artificial propagation and feeding. 

 Pheasants, Quail, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Teal, and other 

 wild-fowl may be reared in great numbers if the work is 

 scientifically done. It is interesting to observe the large 

 number of Pheasants and Mallards reared annually by 

 Mr. Bayard Thayer at Lancaster. This is the work in 

 which commissioners on fisheries and game, game pro- 

 tective associations, and wealthy land owners must engage 

 if we are to have game in its former abundance. A begin- 

 ning may be made by importing experienced gamekeepers 

 from England and Scotland, where, notwithstanding the 

 long settlement of the country and the density of the popu- 

 lation, people have game for their own use, and export a 

 great deal to this country to supply our depleted markets. 

 Artificial propagation is the most important work of the 

 century concerning game birds. Many thousands must be 

 • reared and liberated annually in every Atlantic coast State, 

 until the covers are well stocked and the marshes again 

 swarm with game birds and wild-fowl. 



Attempts should be made to domesticate game birds. In 

 more than three centuries since the discovery of the Ameri- 

 can continent only one American bird, the Turkey, has 

 become widely distributed through domestication. There 

 is no doubt that Quail, Grouse, and "Wood Ducks may be 

 readily tamed, and the Canada Goose has been long known 



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