Feb. 25, 1899.] 
FOREST AND STREAM^ 
149 
possibility will not lead any one to think the under- 
taking superfluous, or to shut their eyes to the fact that 
the probability of the States carrying it out to the 
extent that it needs to be carried, or with regard to any- 
thing but their immediate and local interests, is exceed- 
ingly remote. Only a few at most of the States would do 
anything about it at all, and the reservations would 
consequ'ently not be £0 distributed over the country 
that the birds would get protection at the tunes and 
places thcv most need it. Probably the States where 
reservations could be placed to the best advantage to 
the country as a whole would not be the ones to take 
any interest in the matter. People have not yet got 
over the old notion that ducks or plover and snipe, or 
even woodcock, can be permanently protected by the 
same methods that partridges or rabbits can. Let me 
emphasize once more the fact that in the case of migra- 
tory birds our methods of protection fall if they cannot 
maintain the total number of individuals that migrate 
through our territory or visit it at certain seasons of 
the year. Mere local increase means very little, probably 
only that for some reason the birds have been drawn 
away from some other section. Moreover, State reser- 
vations would continually be tampered with by the 
Legislatures, which never let well enough alone. They 
would be an important addition to a system under con- 
trol of the national Government, though not a substi- 
tute for it. 1 f 1 • i. 
In conclusion I will mention that I spoke of the inter- 
state commerce law, not because it has anything to dcj 
with the Lacey bill, but as a case where the national 
Government assumed a power it had long allowed the 
States or individuals to exercise, because they had used 
it to the disadvantage of the residents of other States. 
The question of the limitations of the power of the 
national Government would not enter into anything the 
proposed Fish and Game Commission would do. There 
would bfe no occasion for their authority clashing with 
that of the States, and on reservations owned or leased 
by the Government they could forbid trespassing just 
a'^ any private individual can on his own lands. 
• W, G. Van Name. 
Philadelphia.— iidj^or Forest and Stream: The com- 
munication of Mr. Frederic Irland, in Forest ^ .^nd 
Stream of Feb. 18. on the "Lacey Game Bird Bill, im- 
pressed me as being a presumption either on the lack 
of information on the part of yonr readers, or a lack ol 
information on the part of Mr. Irland, -r. 
He cites the London Field or any other Eng.ish 
sporting paper for columns of advertising of pheasants 
eggs, partridges, etc. i- , 
Mr Irland forgot to mention that English estates are 
mostly entailed: that the shooting rights of these estates 
are vested in individuals; that each estate has its crew 
of keepers, whose duties are to breed the game, protect 
it from vermin and poachers, train the dogs, etc., and 
that their fitness for the task is the training of years. 
It is true that the restocking of covers in England is 
a recognized, common, perfecJy successful industry. 
As to England, however, it is a private industry. Ihe 
Governmert of that country, wise in its way, does not 
meddle with matters which do not concern it. 
Now, considering the industry as it exists, they can 
only breed such birds as can be raised in domestication, 
or semi-domestication. All the efforts which have been 
made in this country to raise the rufted grouse and 
quail in domestication have proved to be total failures. 
In capiivity the birds are barren. If their eggs are 
hatched by a common barnyard fowl, the chicks are so 
wiM from the start that they cannot be domesticated. 
Now, will Mr. Irland be so good as to explain the bear- 
ing of 'his reference to the rearing of pheasants by pri- 
vate enterprise in England, and the rearing of quail, 
ruffed groiise, woodcock, snipe, etc., in A.merica by the 
United States Government? 
He says also: "If you ride from Washington m any 
direction into Maryland or Virginia in the spring, you 
are amazed to see the countless thousands of young do- 
mestic poultry. They crowd the mother instinct of the 
hen very hard in this region, and often give one broad- 
breasted old clucker thirty-five or forty chickens to hover 
and rear. I believe it would be easy, in time, to have the 
country swarm with game birds to nearly the same de- 
3 J 
Those chickens swarm because they are private prop^ 
crty No property owners would permit game to swarm 
as do the chickens, for it requires a vast amount of food 
to supply them. But it would be a great field for the fur- 
nishing of jobs to men who itch for public money. 
To show that the partridges of England do not run 
.about as do the domestic hens of Maryland, and that 
there is an infinity of care required to successfully raise 
■even a few, I ask your permission, Mr. Editor, to present 
:a clipping, taken from the London Field of recent date, 
in respect to the rearing of grouse. Other game requires 
iquite as inuch care in its raising. It is as follows: 
In the first place, it is very necessary to have quiet and reliable 
hens, to save both trouble and disaster after the chicks aij 
hatched, as thev are very fragile, and easily trampled and killed. 
The grouse eg?s should be taken— when you are cakmg them on 
your own moor— after they have been incubated some tmie, and 
then placed under the hens, which latter ought to have been 
brooding some time, so that there will be no fear of their giving 
up before the eggs are hatched. It is needless to say that each 
i-.est of eggs must be kept separate, and put under a hen, and lhat 
there must be no mixing of eggs of different nests 
While sittine. the hens must be duly and regularly attended to 
as regards both food and water, and taken off the nests for ex- 
lercise seeing that they do not remain off too long. \Vhen the 
eggs arp hatched, leave the chicks under the hen undisturbed 
ifor ar least twenty-four hours, and in the meantime have your 
coops— which ought to- be amply large, with a sliding grid door 
in front— got ready. These want placing on a ffag or board on 
short heather, seeing that no vermin can get in, as weasels or 
stoats will make short work of them. A flag too ought to De 
put in front of the coop to feed on, with a large shallow saucer 
with a few pebbles in the water; this latter ought to be changed 
several times a day. In addition to these, a small run ought 
to be made, with each coop, of three boards, say, llin. deep, the 
run to be 8fh or 10ft. long. , r 
This is to keep tlie young grouse from rambling too far away 
from the hen. ami being' lost, which they would be apt to do. This 
run has to be kept going until the grouse can fly— say in about 
fourteen davs— when the boards can be moved. The coops and 
runs must be moved on lo fresh ground at least every twenty- 
four hours, and the flags or boards frequently cleaned, for on this 
cleanliness in a great measure depends the health of the birds, and 
the success in rearing them. , , , , . 
The young birds, as soon as they get on to the heather, begin 
to pick it, hut, in addition, the keeper ougJit to have some coarse 
grpynd oatmeal, and. gi\ e some tP them on the flag in front of 
the coop several times a day, at fixed times, but more particularly 
at the last feed at night, say .ibout 5 o'clock, calling them with a gentle 
whistle; they can then be put into the coop and shut up. They are 
then alwavs ready for their 'food, and soon get to know the times to 
come, and are generally there within a few minutes of the time, 
if not already waiting- This more particularly applies after they 
have the free run of the ground, but if you wish them to be 
tame and come to the call, vou must go on, even after they 
are fully grown, for if they are left out even one night their 
fiatural instinct comes bach, and the probabilities are ihey will 
never come near again. On the other hand, if properly looked after 
in feeding regularly, and shut up every night, you can keep 
them tame an indefinite period. Our keeper has kept them for 
two years, when they have had nests and brought up young 
Ijroods. He has had as many as sixty tame ones at once, and 
at his call would come and perch on his outstretched arms and 
head, and follow him all over the moor, walking after him as 
well as they could, and, as he left them, flying and alighting 
at his feet again, which of course is very interesting. 
In reference to the food, the oatmeal, after the chicks are, say, 
a week to ten days old ought to be mixed with a little water 
and given in pellets; later on, oats can be given. There is, 1 
need not say, a good deal of trouble attached to liand-teanng 
grouse, and unless the keeper — or whoever looks after them — is 
prepared and willing to meet this trouble, and devote a good 
deal of time to the young birds, it is belter not to begin with them, 
as it would only bring about a lot of disappointment to those 
most interested, through failing to do what was required to bring 
alDout ultimate success, which can be obtaitied if proper precau- 
tions are taken. 
Nevertheless I cannot imagine' any better office thaix 
that of looking after one or two hens at a salary of say 
$2,coo or $3,oco a year. If those hens and chickens 
which so enliven the perspective in Maryland and Vir- 
ginia were raised at Government expense, the pension 
fund would be a mere trifle in comparison with the cost 
of poultry raising. After all, a comparison of a private 
industry in England as a Government function tn Amer- 
ica is very far fetched. L, A. Childress. 
Pheasant Rearing* 
From the report of Fish and Game Protector Hollister D. 
McGuire, Fish and Game Protector of Oregon. 
Oregon has always been a sportsman's paradise, but 
nothing has contributed so largely to spreading its fame 
in this particular as the Mongolian pheasant, tlie king of 
game birds. 
Our State being the first place on tne American conti- 
nent to become stocked with these pheasants, has had the 
effect of advertising us with the sportsmen all over the 
United States. No other section of the country has suc- 
ceeded as yet in establishing them, although great effort 
and considerable money have been expended by a tturaber 
of States in an attempt to do so. Flundreds of pheasants 
have been sliipped out of this State to nearly every sec- 
tion of the Union. Some of the game commissioners of 
other States report birds imported from Oregon as doing 
well and gradually increasing. 
Many, in their communications, express astonishment at 
the statement published in my last report that lo.ooo Mon- 
golian pheasants were sold in the markets of Portland 
last year during the one month (Oct. 15 to Nov. 15) that 
market sales of upland birds is permitted under our laws. 
The immense slaughter of the pheasants for market has 
aroused a strong sentiment favoring the prohibition en- 
tirely of market sales. Of cour.se, this proposition will 
meet with strong opposition from those who do not own 
a gun and never go afield to hunt the wary ring-neck, 
but have, nevertheless, learned to look foward to a month 
of feasting on this toothsome game bird, and will strenu- 
ously object to being deprived of their accustomed annual 
feast. 
The demand for Mongolian pheasants for propagating 
purposes in other States has steadily increased since the 
enactment of the law in 1895 perm.itting them to be 
shipped out of the State, the demand at present being 
greater than the supply, as only birds bred and raised 
in confinement can be lawfully in possession or held for 
shipment. Since the increased demand for these birds for 
exporting purposes, complaints have com.e to this office 
that parties were engaged with dogs trained for the 
purpose in running down and capturing young birds. One 
party was reported as having captured nearly 100 young 
birds in this manner, which were afterward raised in 
confinement and shipped out of the State as fully domesti- 
cated birds. Since my attention was called to this I have 
changed the form of affidavit and now require the appli- 
cant for perm.it to swear that the birds for shipment were 
bred and raised in confinement, and by whom. Every ap- 
plication for permit is closely scrutinized and satisfactory 
evidence required of the shipper that the birds are entitled 
to shipment before permit is issued. 
The correspondence in connetcion with the exportation 
of pheasants has grown enormously, much of it coming 
from other States. Nearly every shipment requires a 
letter explaining the law. A blank affidavit is furnished, 
and when this is properly executed and returned to this 
office, if found satisfactor}', the permit is fowarded to the 
person desiring to make the shipment. 
The breeding of these birds for exportation has become 
quite an ijtdustry, and as the birds readily sell for $5 per 
pair, bring into the State no inconsiderable sum of money, 
Verv few have been successful in breeding these birds in 
confinement, however. It seems that they require special 
care in feeding and handling during the first two weeks 
after hatching. Many who attempt pheasant breeding 
give up in despair, as the chicks all die frequently before 
they are two weeks old. A great many letters have come 
to this office inquiring as to the method necessary to be 
employed to successfully breed and raise these birds in 
confinement. Realizing that reliable information on this 
subject would be of riuich interest to those desiring to 
engage in pheasant raising, 1 addressed a letter to Miss 
Jennie Griffith, of Clyrner, Marion county, Oregon, who 
is recognized as the most extensive and successful breeder 
of the ring-necked pheasant in the State, as well as an 
acknowledged authority on the subject, asking her to con- 
tribute an article for publication in this report on _ the 
subject of breeding and rearing pheasants. Miss Griffith 
very kindly acceded to ray reque-t, and the thorough and 
extensive description of the method employed by herself 
in the breeding of pheasants, herewith appended, is a 
valuable contribution on the subject, and should certainly 
be a guiele to those who desire to breed these beautiful 
birds, either for profit or pleasure: 
Care and Propagatfon ii Confinement c£ the Denny of 
Riog-Necfc Pheasant, 
"The phenomenal increase of tlie twenty-eight ring- 
neck pheasants which Hon. O. N. Denny iu xSSi intro- 
duced into the Willamette Valley has attracted attention 
throughout the continent. They have proven to be an 
ideal game bird, and although shooting methods are no 
longer crude, there is little, if any, fear of their becoming 
extinct. These pheasants, ever alert, with the advent 
of the shooting season, develop, to a remarkable degree, 
the instinct of self-preservation. Tliey never Hush toward 
the gunner, and have learned to suspect liim and his dog, 
but will scarcely rise to avoid a carriage and team. The 
marksman must be skilled and prepared to do quick and 
long-range shooting. So wary is this pheasant, the ap- 
proaching sportsinan is noticed before he gets withiti 
shooting range; the bird is quick to select a furrow as a 
screen, which it follows on a run until too closely pressed 
by dog and gunner, it leaves the furrow, usually at right 
angle, for a possible covert among fern or stubble. If 
forced to flush, the saucy cry of alarm or whirr'of wings 
as it swiftly flies from the danger marks the supreme 
moment of pleasure of the fportsman, who has had his 
pulses stirred with excitement throughottt the chase. The 
majestic bearing and wealth of plumage of the ring-iieck 
cock cannot be imagined by narrative elescription, and the 
delicious flavor of his flesh must be tasted to be appre- 
ciated. It is not too much to say that visiting marksmen 
Avho possess the true instinct of the sportsman, and have 
enjoyed a day's shooting in this valley, will never be 
satisfied until their own preserves and fields are well 
stocked with these festive game birds. Even now there 
is a great demand for these pheasants. As the game laws 
of this State require .said pheasants to be fully domesti- 
cated — raised in confinement and kept for propagation and 
exhibition purposes if permit to ship from the State is 
granted — the successful breeders of these enclosed birds 
find it a profitable source of income. That the new in- 
dustry may sooner be e.Mablishcd, the following helps are 
respectfully submitted. 
"The two essentials arc : Properly constructed aviaries 
and feeding. The. former, although easily managed, is 
more generally neglected. 
Avfaries. 
"Elaborately arranged, expensive aviaries are not a 
necessity and may prove objectionable if ihey prevent the 
occasional choosing of a new situation. Any plan of 
aviary which is spacious, well-lighted, clean, thoroughly 
ventilated, screened from enemies and erected on sloping 
or well-drained grounds is acceptable; I prefer aviaries 
tightly boarded on all sides. Such walls protect the birds 
from drafts and they, wild by nature, enjoying greater se- 
clusion, are more contented. Wire netting. 2in. mesh, as 
a roof admits sufficient light and ventilation. If the 
walls are but 6ft. high the flight of a frightened bird wdl 
not be serious. Avoid frightening the pheasants by giving 
iheni one attendant who will announce his approach, and 
by providing numerous coverts; shrubs planted in the 
runs are ornamental and permanent] evergreen boughs 
also are excellent for this purpose, 
"Dryness under foot is important, and any mud after 
copious rains shoidd be kept down by a liberal supply of 
clean straw. In providing shelter, I build several sheds 
along the walls— broad enough to afford at all times dry 
earth. As the pheasants enjoy a dust bath (and should 
insect vermin infest them such bath is a necessary requi- 
site) wood ashes are added to the dry earth beneath tlie 
sheds. Give them sufficient space in proportion to num- 
ber. Numerous short perches are better than one or two 
long ones, as the most pugnacious often commands an 
entire perch. i- 1 u 1, 
"A supply of gritty matter and some lime should be 
thrown in the runs. Thoroughly cleanse and sweeten the 
ground of old aviaries by spading, and place the birds in 
duplicate apartments long enough for freshly sown seeds 
to form a sod. This rotation is most necessary unless the 
aviary is very large. , 
Feeding of Stock Birds. '~~ 
•''The quantity of food is best determined by the appe- 
tites of the birds. It is a good plan to remain a half-hour 
or longer with them, throwing out the food in such mod- 
eration as to induce a scramble for the tidbit, as they pre- 
fer to search for their food. Conceal some in the grass, 
vegetable leaves or clean straw, and note their eagerness 
in picking it up. Cease the supply as soon as they show 
the slightest indifference to it, as overfeeding is a source 
of disease, and fat hens never lay so well as those kept 
in a hard, muscular condition. Great care should be- 
taken that the grounds the pheasants are fed upon are 
clean. The vessels containing the drinking water must 
also be clean and should be placed in the shade. Keep 
the pheasants supplied with fresh water. The active, rest- 
less nature of the 'Denny' or ring-neck pheasant is an ad- 
vantage to the breeder, as exercise promotes health, and such 
bad habits as egg-eating and feather plucking are rarely 
established. Occupation is more easily devised and their 
lives less monotonous than those of many other birds 
kept in limited space. Owing to their active lives they 
more readily assimilate stimulating and concentrated 
foods. At a regular early hour in the morning they should 
be given some quickly digested soft food. Avoid stick- 
iness. Ground oats, cracked wheat, stale bread, cooked 
potatoes, boiled eggs, curd. etc.. may be used constantly 
with. advantage. Do not mix meals with water or milk, as 
the soft food" thus concocted is too sticky for pheasants. 
These birds are insatiable in their desire for animal food 
and some should be given two or three times a week. 
When insects are scarce, boiled beef or mutton finely 
chopped and mixed with crackers, vvheat or meal is recom- 
mended. If supplied at the regular feeding hours, tends to 
make the birds dissatisfied with the other foods. I there- 
fore suggest the animal food to be given at the noon hour. 
When berries and fruits in season, green food and fresh 
water .suffice. An hour before dusk feed grain. Wheat 
and cats may be fed at any season; sunflower seed?, peas, 
corns and buckwheat are added from time to time; the 
fiuantity during cold weather may be slightTv increased. 
Grain in the sheaf is the best preparation. It should be 
borne in mind that birds are thriftiest when frequent 
changes in food are provided, and every phea'^ant breeder 
repaid for the care and trouble in procuring a variety 
of wholesome foods. A daily supply of as much green 
food as the birds will eat is indispcnsnWe to thrifty 1 
growth. It should he fresh. When garden waste is 
scarce green sods will be found good substitutes ; the birds ^ 
