Vol. 6, No. 5 
Page 3 
there was some restraint in association between the pen-reared (Korean and Japan¬ 
ese green) and the wild birds. Fifty-one percent of the native cocks, 46 percent 
of the Korean cocks, and 6 percent of the Japanese green cocks observed during 
April and May were accompanied by 1 or more hens, the average of which was 2.1, 1.7, 
and 1.0 hens, respectively. From observations of social encounters among cocks of 
the 3 strains, it appeared that native cocks were slightly dominant ever Korean 
cocks, which in turn extensively dominated the Japanese green cocks. Thus, the 
Korean cocks were nearly as successful as the native cocks in establishing terri¬ 
tories and maintaining harems of hens, whereas the Japanese green cocks were def¬ 
initely subordinate as breeding birds. 
Table 3* Association between cocks and hens of the various strains during the 
breeding season (April and May), Neoga area, 1S&3. 
Cocks 
Number of 
Hens 
Harems Containing 1 or More 
of the Following Strains 
Number of Observations of 
Wild 
Japanese 
Strains 
Cocks Accompanying Harems 
Native 
Illinois 
Korean 
Green 
Native 
40 
24 
22 
13 
1 
Korean 
26 
8 
4 
21 
3 
Japanese Green 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
4. Rabbit Management W. R. Edwards, D. A. Casteel 
One of the studies on the rabbit project is an investigation of the extent to 
which damage resulting from cottontail depredations on garden crops, plants in the 
home landscape, nursery and forest plantings, and young fruit crops can be control¬ 
led by supp ] ementary feeding of rabbits. 
In the fall of 19&2, 14 garden sites were selected and planted with 50 seedlings 
each of scotch pine and rndtiflora rose, plus 50 sprout-prunings from apple trees. 
Seven of the 14 sites were designated for treatment and the remainder served as con¬ 
trols. Treatment consisted of the establishment and maintenance of feeding stations 
at the seven treated sites. A commercial rabbit ration in pelleted form was pro¬ 
vided in metal feed cans at these stations. 
Weather during the latter half of December was cold and snow several inches 
deep covered the ground for several weeks. Rabbits utilized both treated and un¬ 
treated sites heavily during this time as indicated by rabbit tracks in the snow. 
Rabbits located all feeders and took feed in sizable quantities. However, this 
study demonstrated no pronounced advantage in terms of less damage on the treated 
plots. Table 4. 
On the basis of this initial test, it would not seem advisable to recommend 
establishment of feeders for control of rabbit depredations in the home land-scape. 
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