23n 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XIV 
VALLEY AND DESERT QUAILS 
Owing to the increased number of hunters, 
the increased facilities of transportation, and 
the increased efficiency of fire arms, we be- 
lieve it necessary that tbe season on quail be 
shortened. Quails , must be considered the 
most important game birds of the state and 
therefore it seems our duty to do our utmost 
to conserve them. The toll taken by hunters 
during the present open season appears too 
large to tdlow tliese birds to hold their own. 
We recommend therefore the reduction of the 
open season to one month, October 15th to 
November 15th; the bag limit to be twenty 
lier day as heretofore. 
MOUNTAIN QUAIL, GROUSE AND SAGE- 
HENS 
Here also we believe that a shortening of 
tlie season is needed for conservation. Two 
months. September 1st to November 1st ap- 
pears to us to be the proper season. 
It is a well known fact that the Sage-hen 
especially has been greatly reduced in num- 
bers. Consequently, a shorter season must be 
demanded in order to save this valuable game 
bird. 
MOURNING DOVE 
In tlie East tbe Mourning Dove is not con- 
sidered a game bird. For some years there 
has been considerable sentiment in favor of 
protecting the bird in tins state. The Mourn- 
ing Dove is probabh' our best weed-seed de- 
stroyer. The U. S. Biological Survey has 
found as many as nine thousand two hundred 
weed seeds in the crop and stomach of one 
do\’e. Tlie value of this bird to the agricultur- 
ist and horticulturist is therefore very great. 
We lielieve there will be little hardship to the 
luinter in foregoing tlie pleasure of shooting 
this bird. Its economic value certainly jus- 
tifies its complete protection. Furthermore 
the diminutive size of its body minimizes its 
value as a game bird. 
BAND-TAILED PIGEON 
Up to the present time the Band-tailed 
Pigeon has received no protection. The total 
extermination of the Passenger Pigeon whose 
habits are somewhat like those of our native 
bird, emphasizes the necessity of protection 
for this bird. In that the Band-tailed Pigeon 
has a very slow rate of production, but one 
young bird being raised each year, it cannot 
withstand so large an amount of destruction 
as has lieen accorded it during past years. All 
of the evidence at hand points to the fact that 
this bird has been greatly reduced in numbers. 
Its habit of flocking together during its ap- 
pearance in California allows a slaughter 
which the bird is unable to withstand. 
Lest this bird go the way of the Passenger 
Pigeon, we recommend that an open season of 
three months, November 1st to February 1st, 
be granted, with the bag limit of fifteen per 
day. 
ENGLISH SPARROW 
The following is the final decision of the U. 
S. Biological Survey on the English Sparrow. 
“English sparrows are abundant in most of 
the towns in the United States and in many 
suburban districts. They are noisy, filthy and 
destructive. They drive native birds from 
villages and homesteads. Though they are oc- 
casionally valuable as destroyers of noxious 
insects, all things considered, they do far more 
liarm than good. Practical methods of deal- 
ing with them include destruction of nests, 
shooting, trapping, and poisoning. Of these, 
trapping is unquestionably the best.” 
This bird is rapidly spreading here in the 
state ; consequently, we recommend that an 
investigation be instituted into the practicabil- 
ity of a war of extermination on the English 
Sparrow, to be carried on by the State Fish 
and Game Commission. 
SEA OTTER 
Perhaps the rarest mammal in California 
and the one whose fur is most valuable is the 
Sea Otter. 
A treaty between the United States and 
neighboring nations has been drawn up and 
the law carr\ing this treaty into effect is now 
before Congress. We believe that California 
with its coast line should take an active inter- 
est in co-operating with the Federal govern- 
ment in the protection of this extremely val- 
uable mammal and should therefore pass a 
law alrsolutely protecting it. In that the prime 
fur of the Sea Otter is valued at near one 
thousand dollars, we believe that a law can 
only be made effective b.v making the killing 
of the Sea Otter a felony. 
FUR-BEARING MAMMALS 
The fur-bearing mammals of the state of 
California are no small asset. If figures 
showing the value of furs taken within the 
state were at hand they would doubtless fur- 
nish some astonishing evidence. In order 
that such mammals as the Bear. Raccoon, 
Mink, Badger, Marten, Fisher, Otter, Red 
Fo.x, Wolverine, Skunk and Ring-tailed Cat 
be conserved, we believe it necessary that a 
law providing protection for these mammals, 
e.xcept during the time when furs are prime, 
should be passed. 
There is a great deal of wanton killing of 
these mammals and it is only right that those 
still remaining should l^e killed only when 
their furs are of value. Provision should be 
made allowing the killing of anj^ of these 
mammals found doing damage by any owner 
or tenant of premises ; cases of this necessary 
killing to be reported to the State Fish and 
Game Commission. 
