A LOOK BACKWARD 521 
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 
