Vol . 10, No. 10 
Page 2 
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3 • Factors I nf 1 uenc i nq Distribution and Abundance of Pheasants W. L. Anderson 
Research conducted by James A. Harper during the early 1 36 D* s indicated that 
grit is the principle source of caicium for pheasants. It was also learned that 
pheasants are capable of selecting grit rich in ca’cium in preference to grit 
poor in this element. But what about other minerals? Do they commonly occur in 
grit in concentrations great enough, or low enough, to influence the distribution 
and abundance of pheasants in Illinois? 
To partially answer this question, grit from gizzards of 54 hen pheasants--23 
from good pheasant range (Ford and Livingston counties), 14 from fair range (northern 
Coles County), and 17 from poor range (Neoga release area in Cumberland County)--was 
analyzed for 23 elements. The pheasants were collected by night1ighting during 
October 19o6 and January 1967 . After being washed in distilled water, the grit was 
pooled according to geographical region and age of the birds (4 months, 7 months, 
and adults); this produced eight composite samples (there were no 4-month-old birds 
from fair range). The analyses were conducted by the same procedures and for the 
same elements (excluding phosphorus) described in the report for June 1 967 (Monthly 
Wildlife Research Letter 10( 6 ):2-3)• 
The results of the analyses indicate that grit consumed by pheasants generally 
contains mediocre to low concentrations of many elements. Concentrations of five 
W elements (chromium, copper, molybdenum, tin, and vanadium) were usually less than 
the limits of detection by the techniques employed. Six other elements (beryllium, 
lead, nickel, silver, zinc, and zirconium) seldom occurred in concentrations greater 
than 30 ppm. As a comparison, mean concentrations in soil from the three regions 
were below the limits of detection for only one element and less than 30 ppm for 
only four others. Only two elements (sodium and cobalt) were consistently more 
abundant in grit than in soil. 
When comparisons were made among regions, seven elements were at least twice 
as concentrated (calcium, beryllium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, strontium, and 
vanadium), and only two were less than half as concentrated (aluminum and barium), 
in grit from poor pheasant range as in grit from good range. This is in direct 
contrast to concentrations of elements in soil from the two regions (Monthly Wild¬ 
life Research Letter 10(9):1-2, September 19&7)* The full meaning of these findings 
may not become apparent for several years. 
4. Responses of Bobwhites to Habitat Manipulation J. A. Ellis, K. P. Thomas 
One phase 'jf the quail research conducted on the experimental management zone 
on the Forbes Area is to measure the vegetative changes effected by burning and 
cultivation. The management program for this zone stipulates that a fourth of the 
area in row crops be unharvested corn. In 1967 , 7 of the 14 plots in this zone 
contained unharvested corn. Approximately half of the standing corn was seeded 
to tame legumes, white clover ( Trifoliurn repens) and sweet clover (Melilotus sdd.), 
in ear 1 v April. - 
