PRESAUD U BONS B ULE LE TiN 59 
some six years. In the fall of 1918 I saw a flock of some 50 or more and 
at the time it was believed these were the only ones in the county. Not 
many of these birds were killed by hunters. The birds simply tailed to 
nest and reproduce, vermin took its toll, the elements and the decrease 
caused by natural routes have exterminated this flock. “They have been 
too crowded by close farming to nest. No place has been left them except 
a little edge of grass along a wire fence where crows search out their nests 
and where the house cat and other predatory animals are wont to travel. 
The Prairie Chicken has been crowded out by too much “Civilization.” 
The Quail Situation 
Quail have been more plentiful this season than they have been for 
several years. Ihe summer of 1932 was a good nesting year. 1! believe 
that some quail raised two broods instead of the usual one brood. 
Quail have changed their habits during the past 20 years. Some years 
ago, when flushed, they would fly for a short distance and alight and could 
be flushed again, but not any more. Now when a covey is flushed and 
marked down, you may go at once to the spot but usually you fail to find 
the quail, even though you have a good dog. As soon as they alight they 
run and will often run three or four hundred yards before stopping. When 
quail hear you coming they usually run out of your line of travel and it 
is almost impossible to find quail without the assistance of a good dog. I 
have had hunters tell me that quail run more now than in former days. 
‘They believed that our quail are becoming mixed with the Mexican quail 
that have been imported into Central Illinois during the past ten years, 
but I believe it is because they have been hunted so close that it has become 
a survival of the fittest (the best runners). I have helped liberate several 
crates of Mexican quail during the past ten years. I have watched for 
results but I have seen none. I believe that the Mexican quail that have 
been liberated in Central Illinois have easily fallen prey to enemies and 
elements that they knew but little about. ‘hey have simply failed to mate 
and raise young. 
The English Pheasant 
Ten years ago we had many English Pheasants throughout Moultrie 
county. I have seen as many as a dozen in a three hour walk. I have 
now seen but two pheasants during the past three years. here are just 
a few left in our county. They have been killed off by hunters and I be- 
lieve that ninety-five per cent have been killed out of season. A majority 
have been killed during heavy snows when they can easily be tracked. 
‘The English Pheasant could hold its own against hunters if it were hunted 
only in the open season. Much has been said about the pheasant killing 
young quail and destroying the nests of quail, but so far as I have been 
able to learn no one has ever had any evidence of this. I believe there is 
room enough for the pheasant and our own native birds. 
