34 



Points on Care and Breeding of Pheasants, etc. 



The State of Illinois has the distinction of possessing the most progressive Game Com- 

 mission. It receives an annual revenue of over $100,000 from gun license and this money 

 is being appropriated for the propagation and stocking of game birds. In the neighborhood 

 of 25,000 young pheasants were raised last year on the Illinois State Game Farm and planted 

 all over the State. The Game Commission states that pheasants have proved a great success 

 and the birds are given every protection. Private preserves are also inaugurated in various 

 sections to promote the propagation of pheasants. 



How to Attract Birds 



Much may be done with very little trouble to induce species of wild birds to come about 

 the house. A short observation is sufficient to demonstrate the facts relative to what 

 birds really require if they are to stay about you. 



The conditions plainly necessary are: First, food; second, reasonable security from 

 enemies; third, suitable nesting places. Much food may be provided about a farm by sim- 

 ply letting Nature have her own way to a certain degree. Do not cut down all wild cherry 

 trees; leave a few for the birds. Let some blackberries grow here and there. Plant a few 

 sunflowers in the corner of the garden or along the edge of the field. They will take up little 

 space and yield abundant food for the chickadee, goldfinch, titmouse, nuthatch, cardinal 

 and others. In winter a little beef or sheep fat tied to a tree will be deeply appreciated by 

 the downy woodpecker and titmouse. A little broken refuse grain and chaff in winter 

 will likewise furnish comfort to the snowbirds and various native birds, if it is thrown out 

 where they can get it. 



Birds do not care to remain long about a house if there is grave danger from enemies. 

 The most terrible of all destructive agencies to the average farmland bird is the domestic cat. 

 This creature pounces with great frequency on the birds when they are feeding or hopping 

 along the ground ; it catches innumerable young shortly after they have left the nest and are 

 as yet unable to fly; it eats the little ones in the nest or catches the old one as she broods at 

 night. 



Japanese Silkies, excellent foster mothers for 

 Pheasants and Mandarin Ducks. Extremely 

 tame and genteel, very pretty and fine 

 winter layers; do not scratch. 



This is the author's picture at the Station, Copiague, 



N. Y., where he had his first Pheasantry and 



from which station he made a great many 



shipments of Pheasants. 



ENGLISH PHEASANT— Plumage similar to Rmgnecks 



