THE 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 sooner or later be adopted here. 
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 was interesting to observe the large 
number of Pheasants and Mallards successfully reared in 
1905 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 
