34 BULLETIN 1040, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



RESTOCKING DEPLETED AREAS. 



No field of conservation is more important than the restoration of 

 game in regions where it has been reduced to the vanishing point 

 or completely exterminated. Plans for bringing back the game 

 usually involve legislation, introduction, or propagation. 



Legislation is the most popular method, and while indispensable 

 in combination with others, it is the most disappointing when relied 

 upon exclusively. Legislation failed to save either the buffalo or 

 the passenger pigeon and can not by itself save any game after a 

 species has been reduced beyond a certain point. Nevertheless, when 

 enacted in time it not only may save the game but may result in its 

 increase beyond normal conditions. Striking illustrations of the 

 efficiency of legislative protection are afforded by the history of deer 

 in Pennsylvania and of mountain sheep in Colorado. In recent years 

 under a consistent and conservative policy of conservation in Penn- 

 sylvania deer have increased to such an extent that about 4,000 are 

 obtained during the open season. Colorado has maintained a close 

 season on mountain sheep ever since 1885, with the result that these 

 valuable game animals have not only increased but the sentiment in 

 regard to their protection has changed to such a degree in certain 

 sections, notably near Estes Park, that every effort is made by the 

 public to prevent them from being destroyed, and during severe 

 winters the animals are systematically fed. 



For many years efforts have been made to increase the stock of 

 certain kinds of game by introducing species from other sections of 

 this country or from abroad. Experiments have been made with 

 many species, but the most important work has been done with quail , 

 Hungarian partridges, pheasants, deer, and elk. 



RESTOCKING WITH GAME BIKDS. 



Quail. — The earliest efforts to increase the stock of quail in America 

 were directed toward the introduction of the Messina, or migratory, 

 quail {Coturnix coturnix) of Europe. These experiments began in 

 the seventies and were continued for several years. Thousands of 

 birds were imported and liberated at various points in the Eastern 

 States, especially in the New England and Middle Atlantic States. 

 Much money and considerable effort Avere spent in the attempt to 

 acclimatize the birds and establish them in suitable places, but 

 without permanent result. The birds were migratory and, although 

 they seemed to thrive for a few months, when liberated they eventu- 

 ally died or disappeared and the experiment was a failure. 15 About 

 1895, when an Asiatic species of quail of the same genus {Coturnix 



15 Notes on these experiments in 1879, when nearly 3,000 quail were distributed, will 

 be found in Forest and Stream, vol. 12. pp. 371, 412. 1870. 



