56 Eikst Annual Beport of the 



Egyptian quail 21,786 



Carcasses of venison 1,502 



Native park raised duck 125 



151,171 



In addition to the above the following species held in storage 

 from the previous year were tagged before January 1, 1912 : 



Scotch grouse 1,4S0 



Black game 2,702 



Black plover 29,260 



Bed leg partridge 3,244 



Egyptian quail 40 



Carcasses of venison 872 



37,598 



Our brief experience with the operation of this law opening, 

 as is seen, the markets of the State to a large influx of foreign game 

 has served to direct attention to the possibilities of domesticating 

 deer and certain varieties of game birds, and breeding them for 

 market purposes. It is undeniable that we in common with our 

 sister States have constantly overlooked the economic value of our 

 native birds and quadrupeds, and confined ourselves almost ex- 

 clusively to preserving the various species from extinction for rea- 

 sons largely sentimental and for the benefit of a necessarily limited 

 class of sportsmen. That European countries have been able to 

 send here such large quantities of game, billed to the importers at 

 reasonably low prices, emphasizes the necessity of encouraging the 

 development of a new source of supply which under proper regu- 

 lation ought, at no distant date, to furnish great quantities of pal- 

 atable and wholesome food. 



There are in this State many large tracts of land which could 

 not possibly be made arable, and much of it not even suitable for 

 the pasturage of cattle. Such lands would afford excellent parks 

 for the propagation of deer for commercial purposes. A few at- 



