264 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[November 8, 1881 



IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN BIRDS. 



V. S. 8. Swataka, Shanghai, May 28. 

 M;; JM.ar 1'aidmn: 



An idea strikes wo, by which, perhaps, we can render consid- 

 erable service to the sportsmen at homo and also add to our own 

 resources for amusement when on shore duty. 



Consul-Genera] Denny, here at .Shanghai, is very much interested 

 in the importation into America of gamo birds, and has already, at 

 his own expense, sent over nearly a hundred brace of the Asiatic 

 pheasant, which have boon turned adrift in Oregon (his own State) 

 and California. Ho is very anxious to continue thiB good work on 

 a larger scale, but lacks the means to do it properly. 



i loliove there are some twenty odd varieties of the pheasant in 

 China and most of them can be readily procured hero in Shanghai. 

 Of course the prices vary, the cheapest being the common ring- 

 necked variety, costing perhaps one dollar per pair. Another 

 beautiful game bird is the so-called Chefoo partridge, red-legged 

 and red-billed, with black and white stripes on the sides. I have 

 killed the same thing, minus the stripes, in ABia Minor. There is 

 also the sand grouse, several varieties of snipe and woodcock, 

 such as we never see at homo, and, perhaps, of loss importance, 

 large numbers of the waterfowl species. I think, though, the 

 mandarin duck, which you doubtless remember, would be a valu- 

 able acquisition, if only for his beautiful plumage. 



Mr. Denny says he can have birds shipped as far as San Fran- 

 cisco free of charge, at least ho has succeeded in doing so to this 

 time, the captains of trans-Pacific steamers beiug amiable and pub- 

 lic-spirited ; but I doubt if this will hold good for much future 

 work. Ho also says a good-natured gentleman in San Fraucisco, 

 connected with the U. S. Fish Commission, will undertake to havo 

 them forwarded East free of charge by the Pacific railways. 

 There remains then to be paid for the birds themselves, thoir 

 food and the cages for their long journey. 



What I propose is, that the sporting community in general be in- 

 formed of these facts through the Foeest an*x> Stbeaji, and some 

 plan be devised by which Consul-General Denny's gratuitously- 

 offered services may be utilized. I may asauro you here that he is 

 a thorough sportsman himself and is only actuated by a desire to 

 increase our home production of sport. 



The Forest and Stream is probably read in every gun club m 

 the country, aud I believe a subscription started under its auspices 

 for such a purpose would have a great success. Certainly all true 

 sportsmen would respond, for we have very few varieties of game 

 birds in America, comparatively speaking. 



The Japanese game birds ace also within Mr. Denny's reach, 

 now that there is such constant intercourse with Nagasaki, aud 

 •we might add to my list the green aud copper pheasant, which, I 

 believe, aro only found thore, and the so-styled giant woodcock. 

 Of the latter I killed a specimen last fall uearTokio which weighed, 

 undressed, 11% ounces. I have also on board a stuffed copper 

 cock, which I killed near Kobe in February last, the two tail 

 feathers" of which measure thirty-six iuches. I assure you that 

 these buds, in rising, give one an emotion such as our little craai 

 or ruffed grouse utterly fail to produce, and it is merely a matter 

 of association to eeoure for all time sport such as the fraternity 

 jyot not of in America. 



The argument that these birds will not stand our climate is ab- 

 surd. They are found in Japan from the Straits of Laferouse to 

 Kagoshima and in China from Tartary to Canton. 



Very truly yours, W. Y7. Folgee. 



The above letter, addressed to Capt. L. A. Beardslee, was 

 by hiui handed to us for publication. 



We in America have never taken any decided steps toward 

 the acelirnatation of animals foreign to our continent, al- 

 though a few spasmodic efforts have been made in the right 

 direction, and one or two societies have been organized. 

 Most of. the attempts that have been made have resulted in 

 nothing permanent. In fact, have almost fallen stillborn, 

 and this mainly because they have been the efforts merely of 

 individuals. The attempt to naturalize here the quail of 

 Europe has been one of the most important steps that has 

 been taken, if we except the introduction of Pacific Coast 

 fishes into the waters flowing into the Atlantic. Neither of 

 these attempts have so far proved successful. The quail 

 bred beyond question, but whether they found in America 

 some enemy to which they were unaccustomed, and which 

 proved too powerful for them, or failed to discover here some 

 food which was essential to their well being, or were unabl- 

 to withstand the climatic conditions so diff- rent from those 

 of Europe— whatever the cause they do not seem to have 

 flourished, and are heard from far less frequently than should 

 be the case if they were doing well. As for the California 

 salmon, of which eo many niillionshave been introduced into 

 our Eastern waters, they have so far as is now icirnMi wholly 

 failed to reappear. They are hardy, can support a high de- 

 gree of temperature, are easily reared up to the time when 

 they are turned out, but still of all those placed in streams 

 connecting with salt water not one has been c iptured. 



This is not an encouraging prospect, but there is a brighter 

 side to the picture. Thus the California and eastern quiil 

 transferred from the widely separated homes lo Suit Lake 

 City and its vicinity, both seem to have done well and to be 

 increasing in numbers. The English sparrow, introduced 

 here and protected, has multiplied beyond the wildest hopes 

 of its strongest friends and, in fact, has become an unmiti- 

 gated nuisance. But with this sole exception, of all the 

 European species freed on this Bide of the water scarcely any- 

 thing is known, if we except the few specimens that have 

 been brought nito the taxidermists for identification. Sky- 

 larks, starlings, blackbirds and finches have all disappeared. 

 A number of Asiatic birds have from time to time been im- 

 ported to California, and are said to have done well, but un- 

 fortunately we lack any very definate information with re- 

 gard to them. That many species of the Chinese and 

 Japanese pheasants and partridges would do well on the 

 Pacific coast seema extremely probable. There is such a 



variety of climate there, that a locality suited to the wants 

 of each species could without difficulty be found. One that 

 loves desert wastes can be turned out, near the sea coast to 

 wander over the brown plains aud the sand dunes; a forest 

 inhabiting bird can be taken to the lower slopes of the 

 mountains where the luunzanita. the chapparal and the pine 

 timber grow; another, accustomed to the cold and snows of 

 the North, cau have its liberty given it high up on the Sierras, 

 where the climate most nearly resembles that of its native 

 home. The habits of each species that is imported must be 

 investigated so that an intelligent discretion may be exer- 

 cised in liberating the birds. If this is not done, the labor 

 and money spent to forward the project will be wasted. A 

 fact well worthy of consideration in connection with the 

 subject of importing such birds as arc above referred to, is 

 the immunity which tree-inhabiting game has from many 

 predacious animals. Those birds which habitually pass the 

 night on the ground are exposed to a multitude of perils from 

 which those which roost in trees are exempted. Other thiugs 

 being equal, therefore, it would seem desirable to procure 

 species which are perchers. 



As to the probable cost of importing and successfully accli- 

 matizing the different species of Japanese game, but little can 

 be said at present. It is essential, however, that the species on 

 which it shall be thought best to experiment should be brought 

 over in numbers sufficient to insure, with reasonable care, the 

 survival of a number of individuals for at least a year, so 

 that they may have time to breed and to rear their young. 

 The importation of ten or twenty pairs would only serve to 

 furnish a free lunch to the foxes, wildcats, hawks and owls 

 of the districts where the birds weie turned out, and it, is 

 scarcely worth while to spend money and time for that pur- 

 pose. To make such importations as would be necessary to 

 insure success, to give the birds proper care and food for a 

 few weeks after their arrival, to protect them as far as may 

 be necessary from the ravages of winged, quadrupedal and 

 bipedal enemies will cost some money ; probably not less 

 than one or two thousand dollars. "With such an amount in 

 hand we believe that the enterprise might he undertaken with 

 fair prospects of success We should be glad to see the ex- 

 periment tried and to assist, so far as in our power, to carry 

 it out. Can any of our readers tell us more about the birds 

 spoken of in Lieut. Folger's letter? 



ENGLISH FLY-CASTING TOURNAMENT 



THE first contest of this kind ever held in England was 

 advertised to come off on Oct. 22, weather permitting. 

 It has been gotten up by Mr. Marston, editor of the Fishing 

 Gazette, in aid of ti,e funds of the Anglers' Benevolent Asso- 

 ciation. The grounds are Mr. Warner's Welsh Harp Fishery, 

 Ilendon, on the Midland Bail way. The charge for admission 

 to the grounds will be sixpence. The judges are J. P. 

 Wheeldon, of Bdlh Life, and Alfred Jardine. The Fishing 

 Gazette of Oct. 15 says that the final arrangement of the com- 

 petitions is not yet definitely settled, but the following may 

 be considered a general outline of the programme : 



A prize for the longest cast with a double-handed fly rod. 



A prize for the longest cast with a single-handed fly rod, 



A prize for the longest cast from the reel, in the Notting- 

 ham style. 



A prize for the longest cast with the line coiled at the feet, 

 in the Thames style. 



A prize for the longest cast with the forked stick, as prac- 

 ticed by the Welsh Harp, Elstrec, and other bank anglers. 



A prize for the longest cast with unweighted line baited 

 with paste or cheese. 



Other competitions will doubtless be arranged. 



The judges will consider style of delivery of the flies or 

 bait, and accuracy, as well as distance, and for Ibis purpose 

 the following scale of 100 points will be adopted : 



Distance across the wind 20 



Distancewith the wind 20 



Style of delivery of 11 es and bait 30 



Accuracy 80 



Competitors will be allowed t> use their own rods, reels 

 and lines, and, as sonic allowance will have to be made for 

 length of rod, the America i scale per foot will probably 

 be adop'ed. The entrance fee tor competitors will be 

 fixed according lo the value of the prize to be cast for, but 

 will not exceed half-a-crown (about sixty cents). Competi- 

 tors will stand on a tarpaulin, a fixed time being allowed 

 n which to make the casls. 



A number of valuable prizes are offered, Mr. Marston, of 

 the Fishing Gazette, and S. Allcock & Co., of Redditch, 

 heading Ihe list with valuable rods. We hope that this first 

 contest will be such a success that it will be repeated, for on 

 this side of the water we recognize it as one of the most 

 beautiful arts and a school for the youthful angler, who cau 

 there see the experts from all parts of the country and com- 

 pare thoir styles. We will keep our eye out for the reports 

 of this meeting. 



. — -•< — < 



"Guides." — In going into the country for a day's sport with 

 rod or gun, use common sense in employing a guide— if one 

 is needed. Do not pick rip the average grocery store loafer 

 and station hanger-on. These gentry are often most eager to 

 serve, but in nine cases out of ten, as "guides" they are 

 frauds. Give them a wide berth. 



Bust in Gun Babrels.— A number of communications 

 on this subject are postponed until our next, issue, 



MATCH CONDITIONS. 



EVERY week we are called upon to act as arbiter i 

 disputes over matches. The same knots are again 

 and again unraveled, and yet riflemen aud trap-shooters, 

 yachtsmen and dog-owners go on drawing up slovenly con- 

 ditions and preparing the way for future entanglements. 

 It would seem that all the possibilities of confusion have by 

 this time been discovered and mapped out, and all Ihe loop-' 

 holes of misunderstanding detected, but such is not the tact. 

 The American cup in yachting circles has been lost in a con- 

 tinual fog of interpretations, and the "Palma" among the 

 shooting men has been enveloped in a smoky atmosphere of 

 explanations and amendments. There is a loose use of 1 

 guage and a desire to sacrifice perspicuity and exactness for 

 the sake of brevity. Donors of prizes fay one thing and 

 mean another, and with a prize dangling within reach a 

 compeiitor is apt to make rash claims and insist on wry 

 readings of the plainest language. Young clubs would do 

 well to take the hints for their match conditions from the 

 work of older organizations, or else fix upon some impartial 

 Brutus to deal out decisions, if not justice, after the act. 



One of the most perplexing thiugs to the ordinary contest- 

 ant is "class-shooting," as understood among those who par- 

 ticipate in trap and target work. It seems somewhat of a 

 paradox that a competitor who has done good work in a 

 match should go prizeless, while auother, who scored a lower 

 record, secures a reward. Y r et Ihe loser in a "shoot-off" 

 has a chance of winning, and if he miss that opportunity it ■ 

 surely does not give him any claim of precedence over 

 another possible prize winner who took no part in the " tie- ' 

 shooting." 



Farmers and Sportsmen. — The interests of farmers and 

 decent sportsmen are identical. It is for the benefit of both 

 that lawless ruffians, armed with impudence and shot-guns, 

 should be suppressed. Scores of shooters, who in the cities 

 and towns where they live are law-abiding because of their 

 fear of the police, go out every seaion, and between seasons, 

 trespassing on the farmers,' lands, breaking down his fences, 

 peppering his live stock with shot, shooting his pigeons aud 

 poultry, aud conducting themselves generally in a manner 

 that ought to land them in the State prison. This pestilential 

 horde is jearly increasing. The respectable portion of so- 

 ciety may well ask if there is any remedy for this evil, and 

 what that remedy is ? 



Wjiat Quail are Worth. — The value of these birds 

 in the markets is often very slight, being from ten to twenty- 

 five cents; their value while aUve to the farmer is much 

 greater. It has been claimed by a practical farmer that every 

 quail raised on his land, from the time it is hatched until the 

 winter following, is worth at least one dollar. In other 

 words he believes that the insects which the bird destroys in 

 this time would, if not interfered with, destroy crops to the 

 value of a dollar. We believe that this is an under esti- 

 mate of the direct benefit derived from the birds, and, of 

 course, if the progeny of the insects destroyed were taken 

 into account, the value of the quail's services would be en- 

 hanced many fold. Let farmers protect the quail. 



Live Quail for Stooking Purposes.— We are informed 

 by Messrs. Byall and Ledbetter, of Shelbyviile, Term., that 

 they can supply live quail for $2 per dozen. Mr. W. W- 

 McDowell, of Memphis, Tenn., also writes that he cau per- 

 haps secure some birds. We have ordered a number of quail 

 for the Walla Walla, Washington Territory, sportsmen, who 

 will attempt to introduce Bob White to that country. We 

 advise those desiring birds to speak quick. As will be learned 

 from a correspondent's note elsewhere, quail may be lawf ully 

 trapped in some parts of Virginia. _ s ^ & 



Ortyx Virgisianus is Id aho.— Several years ago the 

 Virginia quail was introduced near Boice City, Idaho, and 

 since that time the birds have multiplied so rapidly that the 

 coveys now are as large and as numerous as arejoften seen in 

 the East. The success of this effort has induced the sports- 

 men of this region to consider the project of introducing the 

 pinnated grouse, and it is probable that if the birds can be 

 obtained the experiment will be tried with fair prospects of 

 success. 



A Michigan Deer Hunt.— Messrs. D. N. Fitzhugh, of 

 Bay City; H. B. Boney, of East Saginaw, and other members 

 of the Michigan Sportsmen's Association, are now in the 

 woods on a deer hunt. These affairs are always of the most 

 thoroughly enjoyable character the participants aiming to 

 make them social reunions. Our acknowledgments are due 

 for a kind invitation to participate in the present camp huut. 

 The stern call of duty bids us stay in this noisy, crowded, 

 smoke-begrimed, mud-paved, brick-walled, drizzle-drenched 

 metropolis. 



The " Cruelty" of Pigeon Shooting.— We intended to be 

 very explicit in our statement that, in voicing the sentiments 

 of the great majority of sportsmen respecting the wholesale 

 pigeon tournaments of State societies, we were not discussing 

 the question of cruelty or non-cruelty of pigeon shooting in it- 

 self. The point at issue is whether societies calling themselves 

 game protective have a right by their actions to injure the very 

 cause they profess to serve, 



