288 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



by Mr. E. Knight Sperry, of that city. Mr. Sperry first 

 obtained permission to try the experiment from the seven or 

 eight owners of the land, on condition that neither he nor 

 they should shoot there, and that he should bear all expenses, 

 while they were to enforce prohibition. The chief expense 

 was for signs forbidding shooting. A few quail were turned 

 loose each year, though it is now thought that was unneces- 

 sary. Ruffed grouse were left to increase as they could. 

 Small patches of wheat or buckwheat were sown to keep the 

 quail from starving or wandering in search of food during the 

 winter. Almost immediately an increase was noticed, and 

 soon the birds became very abundant on the preserve, and 

 now there is good shooting on the neighboring farms where 

 formerly very few birds were to be had. The land-owners 

 are so well pleased with the plan that none have withdrawn 

 from the compact, although they are all at liberty to do so at 

 any time. 



It is well known that both quail and grouse prefer to live 

 either on or near cultivated land, where food is abundant. 

 Farmers might easily combine in this way, thereby affording 

 better sport for themselves, or increasing the attractions of 

 their town for outside parties who for the sake of the birds 

 would be glad to come and pay well for shooting privileges. 

 In many sections the city boarder has become the farmer's 

 best source of revenue. If he will protect his grouse and 

 quail, he may sell them in the brush for more than he could 

 realize by killing them himself and putting them in market, 

 and at the same time extend his boarding season well into 

 autumn. A city sportsman, whose time has a value, is glad 

 to pay for a certainty of finding game. Although game is held 

 to be the property of the State rather than of the individual 

 owning the land that supports it, he may still be the sole bene- 

 ficiary if he will. He must obey the statutes, even on his own 

 land, but he can profit in due season by his own restraint, for 

 no one e|se can trespass on his premises if he forbids it. 



