3. 
Vol. 5, N04 9 
Page 2 
Factors Influencing Distribution and Abundance of Pheasants 
W, L. Anderson, J. A. Harper 
An analysis of data obtained from broods observed on the Neoga area in 1960, 
1961, and 1962 (Table 2) revealed that the average number of chicks per brood was 
similar to that for an established pheasant range north of the study area. Broods 
12 weeks of age contained, on the average, 1.9 fewer chicks than broods between 
hatching and 3 weeks of age. The mortality of chicks between hatching and 12 weeks 
of age averaged 19.6 per cent during the 3 years. These findings suggest that chick 
mortality on the Neoga area is not excessive. 
Table 2. —Mean number of chicks observed per brood at various ages (includes 
repeat observations of individual broods), Neoga study area, 1960, 1961, and 1962. 
Sample sizes (number of broods) are in parentheses. 
Age in Weeks 
Mean Number of Chicks in Broods 
1960 
1961 
1962 
All Years 
0-3 
9.5(4) 
9.0(2) 
10.0(6) 
9.7(12) 
4 
5.2(5) 
4.5(2) 
10.0(4) 
6.8(11) 
5 
5.6(5) 
5.2(5) 
5.3(3) 
5.4(13) 
6 
6.6(5) 
5.0(1) 
6.3(3) 
6.3(9) 
7 
9.4(11) 
7.8(8) 
6.0(5) 
8.1(24) 
8 
7.0(6) 
6.3(4) 
5.2(6) 
6.1(16) 
9 
6.6(8) 
7.5(6) 
8.3(4) 
7.3(18) 
10 
5.0(1) 
7.4(5) 
5.5(4) 
6.4(10) 
11 
9.8(4) 
7.8(6) 
(0) 
8.6(10) 
12 
6.7(3) 
7.8(4) 
8.0(3) 
7.8(10) 
Average Size 
7.4(52) 
7.1(43) 
7.2(38) 
7.3(133) 
Average Age 
7.1 weeks 
8.1 weeks 
6.8 weeks 
7.4 weeks 
4. Rabbit Management VJ. R. Edwards, D. A. Casteel 
A trapping quadrate of 160 acres was laid out on the 4-H area of Allerton Park 
to facilitate cottontail ecology studies. Intersecting transect lines, which will 
serve as reference points during future work, grid the area into 100 plots of 1.6 
acres each. Traps were distributed at the rate of two per plot along the transect 
lines at points selected using random sampling techniques. Trapping began Septem¬ 
ber 12 with 30 rabbits tagged, color marked, and released at their points of capture 
as of September 28. Data are insufficient to warrant population estimates at this 
time. 
Scotch pine and multiflora rose have been ordered and will be planted for an 
evaluation of winter feeding as a method of controling cottontail depredations. 
Eighteen study plots have been selected to date. 
