Vol . 8 , No. 3 
Page 2 
Sample sizes for both years ate small and it is problematical whether the data 
are sufficient for meaningful interpretation. However, the dates of nest establish¬ 
ment on seeded roadsides are of more than academic interest. If management plans 
involving seeded roadsides over large areas are to be of practical value, managers 
will need data on the progression of nesting on these roadsides. Especially 
important is the mowing of seeded roadsides: from the standpoint of public relations, 
mowing should begin in the summer as soon as it will have the minimum effect on 
nesting. In 1963, all nests on seeded plots were either abandoned, destroyed, or 
hatched by July 25, but In 1964, 4 of the 14 nests that hatched did so after August 
* In 1963, mowing beginning on July 25 would have destroyed no nests but, in 1964, 
would have destroyed nearly 30 percent of the nests which eventually hatched. 
Table 1. Seasonal distribution of 
roadside plots, Sibley Study Area. 
the establishment of pheasant nests 
on seeded 
Period of Establishment 
Number of Nests 
Established 
1963 
1964 
Apr i 1 15 - May 5 
3 
1 
May 6 - I 9 
5 
4 
May 20 - June 2 
4 
3 
June 3-16 
5 
4 
June 17-30 
3 
2 
July 1 - 14 
0 
3 
July 15 - 28 
1 
0 
Total 
21 
17 
3. £act ors Influencing Distribution and Abundance of Pheasants W. L. Anderson 
Tests of the ability of various species, subspecies, and strains of pheasants 
of the genus Phasianus , and hybrid progeny thereof, to produce self-maintaining 
populations south of the established pheasant range in Illinois have been conducted 
on the Neoga Area for 5 years, I 960 through 1964, and on the Bellmont Area for 2 
years, 963 and 1964. In all 5 years at Neoga, available evidence indicated that 
actors suppressing the pheasant population on the area were concerned more with 
survival than with reproduction. 
It now appears that the pheasant population at Bellmont is exhibiting trends 
similar to those detected among pheasants on the Neoga Area. A total of 1,155 
pheasants were released at Bellmont during the winters of 1962-63 and 1963-64, and 
93b chicks (estimated) were produced during the subsequent nesting seasons. How- 
ever, it was estimated that only 239 pheasants were present on the area during the 
prehunt (October) period in 1964. These findings suggest that the Bellmont popu- 
ation also is suffering from excessive mortality. 
