(fefr'. , /_ -^ 



UR woodland drummer, the ruffed ^ 

 grouse, has been properly named the 

 king of game birds. It is the best 

 woodland grouse in the world, and it 

 should always be as plentiful in our markets as the European 

 black-cock is, not only in foreign markets, but also in New Yorlsii 

 The practical and profitable preservation of the ruffed grouse on 

 comparatively small areas would result in their reniaining plenti- 

 ful throughout the surrounding country. The shooting can be 

 made good on thousands of square miles where the birds now are 

 few in number or entirely extinct. Where they are properly 

 looked after they will thrive even in small woodlands and bushy 

 tracts, provided they contain the foods they require and their 

 enemies be controlled. 



Many experiments have been made in the artificial propaga- 

 tion of this species, with some success. Professor Hodge hand- 

 reared a number of birds in his yard at Worcester, Massachusetts, 

 and the Massachusetts game department and others have reared 

 a few birds. I do not, however, regard the artificial rearing of 

 grouse as necessary or even desirable. The losses often are large 

 and, for sporting purposes as well as for food, birds reared in a 



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