GAME BIRDS SUITABLE FOR XATURALIZIXG 23 



SUGGESTIONS AS TO METHODS OF NATURALIZING GAME BIRDS 



The introduction of game birds, like other human endeavors, is 

 likely to be successful in proportion to the thought and effort de- 

 votee! to it. The method that has usually been followed in the past 

 of importing birds and liberating them without regard to their 

 condition, to the suitability of the range, or to the abundance of 

 natural enemies is most uncertain and wasteful and has resulted in 

 far more failures than successes. 



Attempts to add valuable species to the American list of game 

 birds should be well planned, particularly when they involve sub- 

 stantial expenditures. Preliminary investigation concerning the 

 desirability of introducing a given species should take account of the 

 relation of the bird to agricultural interests in its native home, as 

 well as its sporting qualities and its known reactions to restraint 

 and to game-propagation routine. Is the species in every respect a 

 desirable type of game bird, is it adaptable, and is there a suitable 

 place for it? In the case of birds not readily obtainable from re- 

 sponsible dealers, planning should extend to the initial capture of 

 the birds, and should cover their crating, feeding, watering, and 

 any special treatment deemed advisable during transportation. Valu- 

 able lots of birds should have an attendant qualified to care for them, 

 and upon arrival in the United States they should be placed in the 

 charge of the best game breeder available. 



In all attempts to introduce new species it probably will give 

 quicker and more ample returns to hold the original stock by the 

 methods prevailing on high-class game farms 3 and to use the eggs 

 and young that may be obtained for planting. In the case of birds 

 at all exacting in their habitat preferences, quarters should be pro- 

 vided as near as practicable to the proposed place of liberation. Eggs 

 obtained can be set under domestic hens, and the young birds re- 

 leased when well grown, or with regard to size, eggs can be distrib- 

 uted, when plentiful, to the nests of native or introduced game birds. 



The area in which liberation is planned to be made should be 

 carefully selected for its general suitability as regards temperature, 

 rainfall, and cover and food conditions, and it should be freed so 

 far as possible from natural enemies of the birds. Suppression of 

 enemies and improvement in cover and food conditions are matters 

 to be attended to in advance, and supplementing the growing 

 food supply by artificial feeding should be continued as long as it 

 seems helpful. It must always be borne in mind that no game bird, 

 either native or foreign, will maintain its numbers in the face of 

 much shooting without continued artificial propagation. For this 

 reason the species most desirable for naturalizing always are those 

 that have proved adapted to rearing on game farms. 



Game-bird introduction and propagation are production activities, 

 and the benefits from them will be reaped in proportion as energy 

 and material are put into them. Expenditure, hard work, and, above 

 all, constant exercise of wisdom, foresight, and judgment are neces- 

 sary to success. 



3 Information on these methods, including nature of equipment, handling the birds, 

 control of enemies, improvement of coverts, and the like, is contained in the following 

 puolication, which may be obtained free upon request to the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture : McAtee, W. L., propagation of upland game birds. U. S. Dept. Agr, 

 Farmers' Bui. 1613. 1929, 



