v. h- 
no • 7 
MONTHLY WILDLIFE RESEARCH LETTER 
Department of Conservation and Natural History Survey, Cooperating 
T. G. Scott, Editor 
Urbana, Illinois 
July, 1961 
Vol. 4, No. 7 
1. Pheasant Populations and Land Use R. F. Labi sky, S, H, Mann 
The number of pheasant broods observed along the standardized transect routes 
on the Sibley area during July, 1961, was nearly identical to the number of broods 
observed during July, 1960, but was about 58 per cent greater than the number of 
broods recorded during July, 1959. Eighty-three, 82, and 52 broods were observed 
along 320 miles of roadside transect driven during July of 1961, 1960, and 1959, re¬ 
spectively. The mean age of the broods observed was 4.7 weeks in 1960 and 5.3 weeks 
in 1961, indicating a slightly earlier hatch of chicks in 1961. The number of un¬ 
hatched nests and the rate at which nests are still being found suggest that the 
peak of hatch may not be reached until some time in August even though in previous 
years it occurred in late June or early July. 
2. Manipulation of Pheasant Habitat 
Project inactive in July. A search is being made for a suitable project 
leader. 
3. Extension of Pheasant Range J. A e Ellis, W. L. Anderson, J. Harper 
During July, 56 adult pheasants were observed on the Neoga area. Of these, 
46 (82 per cent) were birds that were produced on the area in 1960 ("native" pheas¬ 
ants) and 10 (18 per cent) were wild-transplanted pheasants that were released on 
the area during the past winter. None of the 'California" pheasants that were re¬ 
leased on the area during the past winter were observed. 
Even though the estimated breeding hen population was 25 per cent lower in 
1961 than last year, brood production appears to be about the same for the two years. 
Thus far, 50 individual pheasant broods have been located on the Neoga area this 
years on this date in 1960, 48 individual broods had been located. This increase 
in productive effort is a reflection of the higher per cent of successful hens this 
year than in 1960. During July of this year, 74 per cent of the hens observed were 
accompanied by broods? while during July and August, 1960, 56 per cent of the hens 
observed were accompanied by broods. The data tentatively suggest that nesting suc¬ 
cess this y§ar is 33 per cent higher than in 1960. 
The origin of the hens producing 34 of the 50 broods was determined. Twenty- 
nine (85 per cent) were produced by "native" birds and 5 (15 per cent) by wild- 
trapped hens that were released on the area this past winter. 
Complete counts of chicks and accurate aging was possible for 28 of the 50 
broods. The broods ranged in size from 3 to 13 chicks and in age from 1 to 8 weeks. 
Average brood size was 7.7 chicks at an average age of 4.9 weeks. 
NATURAL 
