Sf YY) 441 3 ”t Jave Our Birds and Game. Methods Whereby Game and Wild Birds Can Best Be Protected and Cared For. Recommendations as to the Trapping and Care of Quail. JOSEPH KALBFUS, Secretary of Game Commission. HARRISBURG: C. E. AUGHINBAUGH, PRINTER TO THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA 1910 f a a > . Sum Ee ae NG % CL ir eas ; J Wich. Commonwealth of Pennsyplbania. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF GAME COMMISSIONERS, HARRISBURG, PA. Jan. 1, 1909 Dear Sir: By act of Assembly, it is made the duty of the Board of Game Commissioners to protect the game and wild birds of this State, I take it this duty extends beyond matters specifically men- tioned in the statute. That the purpose of the law is to save the game and wild birds from extinction, and that it is as much my bounden duty to protect the game and wild birds from destruction through the agency of four footed animals, predatory birds, or the elements, as it is to say these same things shall not be taken by man, except under the letter of the law. I cannot believe that the Game law is intended for a purpose other than benefit to all the people of this State, or that it is my duty to arrest a poor man who may kill game out of season, when he needs the same for food, and then stand with folded arms and see game of like kind destroyed by storms, vermin, or wild animals, big or little. With the idea, then, that it is my duty to give all the protection in my power to the game and wild birds of the State, I desire to make some suggestions. I will not attempt in this paper, except in a limited way, to touch upon the value of the life work of the birds. I do want it under- stood, that as the illustration I may use shows the value of the bird named, so each family of our birds has its specialty, each doing a particular work that no other family attempts to do, except to a limited extent. Professor Surface, Economic Zoologist of this State, tells me that annual loss to Agriculture, in the United States, aggregates scores of millions of dollars from the ravages of plant lice alone. That (i535) d if that natural increase of plant lice was not curbed in some way, this world would not be inhabitable by man, at the end of ten years. One of the great protectors of plant lice is our common ant, which carries the egg of the plant louse below the frost line in win- ter, carries the young louse out and places it on the plant in the spring, getting therefrom, in return, what is known as honey dew, each ant protecting and caring for vast numbers of lice, just as the farmer cares for and protects his cattle, for the return they give. One of the great destroyers of ants is our common flicker or yellow hammer. This bird is the most terrestrial of all wood peckers, and takes fully seventy-five per cent. of his food on the ground. The examination of many of the stomachs of these birds has proven con- clusively that more than one-half of the food of this bird, the year round, is made up of anis, and demonstrated the capacity of a singie flicker to consume several thousand ants at one meal. No game bird seems to have a firmer hold upon the public mind than the common quail, or “Bob White,’ and a study of this bird. undertaken by the Biological Survey at Washington, demonstrates, by almost limitless examination and experiment, that the economic value of the quail is equalled by but few birds, and exceeded by none. His food supply is more varied than that of most birds, and is almost without exception, drawn from a source through which nothing but good can result. He consumes many things, such as potato bugs, chinch bugs, the cotton boll weavel, certain caterpillars, spiders and other insects, that most birds avoid, and that, wnen taken at all by such other birds, are eaten to a limited extent only. Professor Surface says, in his Bulletin of January, 1904: “No birds on the farm are more valuable as seed eaters and insect destroyers than the common quail.” In addition to the value of the life work of all game birds, is the value that cannot be expressed in words or figures, of a day afield with gun and dog, and I know there is no sportsman who will not appreciate what I mean, when this is said. There is a benefit de- rived, that no one who fails to indulge in this sport can realize, a benefit that is not drawn through the killing of the birds only, and that comes to no two men exactly alike. The working of a dog speaks in different language to different men. From the moment the trail is struck until a dead bird, held only by the tip of a wing, is brought and laid at one’s feet, all else, business cares and engagements, sorrows and joys outside, are alike forgotten, in the work of that dog. Three times to my certain knowledge, since I first began to take a special interest in this work, quail, because of severe winters, ravages by vermin, and the slaughter by market hunters, had become almost extinct in Pennsylvania. Three times the sportsmen of this State, as an organization, with a limited number of outsiders, went down = o into their pockets and furnished the cash wherewith to buy quail in other States and bring them into this State. During February, March and April of the year 1906, the Game Commission purchased and brought into this State from Alabama, about 3,700 quail, paying for same at the rate of nine (9) dollars per dozen, 6 males and 6 females. These birds were placed by Deputy Game Protectors in almost every county in the State. The only counties overlooked or passed, being those, like Philadelphia county, not adapted because of its dense population, to the raising of quail, or Cameron county where because of severe winters quail could not live, or counties wherein the people took so little interest in the work of game or bird protection as to either refuse, or neglect, to recommend the appointment of a protector within their borders. Many quail have also been brought into the State by private in- dividuals. The same thing has been done for many years, and I feel perfectly safe in saying that were it not for this importation of quail, there would not be one single covey in this State to-day. The killing of these birds for the market has to a very great extent been stopped. So, likewise, have been closed the avenues through which live birds can be secured from the outside. A few years ago quail, for propa- gating purposes, could be secured without limit from almost every State of the South and West. To-day I can count the States upon the fingers of one hand, from which these birds can be secured for any purpose, the supply being limited from these States, and the price three and even five times what it was five years ago. Many of the States that only a few years ago were exporting quail, in ap- parently unlimited numbers, are to-day trying their best to secure a few thousand, or even hundreds, alive for propagating purposes. It is reported that more than 400,000 quail were shipped from Alabama alone during the year 1905. Some 30,000 of this number were shipped alive for restocking purposes. The balance being dead were invoiced to cold storage houses in the North. In 1906 the Legislature of Ala- bama forbade the shipment of quail, either living or dead, out of her boundaries. Thus another State closed its doors against us in this respect. We are forced therefore, into the position where we must protect and save our own birds if we hope to have any in years to come. Aside from statutory enactment, every citizen and lover of the quail has his work to do. I, therefore, beg each individual, I beg the farmers, who derive more benefit from the life work of all kinds of birds than any other class, I beg the sportsman, with his limited benefits of a day afield, every boy and girl, who takes pleasure in our birds, every professed Christian of this State to “not pass by upon the other side.” The winter, figuratively speaking, in its most terrible form is indeed at hand for our birds. Don’t let them die. ti I assure you in protecting them, you are preserving your best friends and benefiting yourselves. You may have a few quail in your neighborhood at this time, I beg of you, to be warned in time, care for these few birds before it is too late. It is hard enough for them to battle with vermin in the shape of crows, hawks, foxes, cats, weasels, etc., during that time of the year when their food supply is abundant, and they have the protection afforded by trees and bushes in full leaf, of weeds and grasses, all of which protection is denied them now. To-day almost every step they may take in quest of necessary food, is watched by some keen eyed enemy. You remember how some hawk or house cat or other predatory creature destroyed one, by one, the entire covey of quail, you saw after the season had closed some years ago. You remember that quail seemed to be everywhere one year, after the close of the gunning season, when along came a series of snows, covering the ground to a depth of several inches, and of course re- ducing the food supply of the birds. You recollect how the snow laid for four, or five, or more, weeks and was followed by a cold rain, lasting for two or more days, ending finally in sleet and followed by zero weather, and this followed perhaps by drifting snows. In the first place the curtailed food supply, consequent upon the snow, greatly reduced the vitality of the quail, so that for the first twenty- four hours, after the rains began, they preferred to sit huddled to- gether, even though their stomachs were empty, rather than face the storm, after that, driven by fiercer hunger, they braved the ele- ments, securing no more food than before the rain began, and then, with every feather dripping, chilled to the bone, with still more greatly reduced vitality, they huddled for the last time, to die of cold, or to be smothered in the drifts that followed. I have seen quail, frozen in the sleet, and their remains along stump fences and under brush piles, when the snows had gone in the spring time. I know whereof I speak, and firmly believe that no power on earth can save our quail at such a time unless it be, through trapping and feed- ing them in captivity. You cannot afford to wait until the rains or the sleet comes, therefore I repeat “Be warned in time.” CAPTURE OF QUAIL. The law at this time permits the capture of quail from the first of January to the first of April following, for the purpose of keeping them alive during the winter and the additional purpose of separating a covey, but for no other purpose whatever. (See section 30 of the act of May ist, 1909). And any method through which this can be accomplished without injury to the birds may be used. They may be led into a trap or net (see cut), by line of buckwheat or screen- = ings or other food, and after being captured they may be easily kept in cages or coops of proper dimensions (see cut attached). Find where the birds are in the habit of feeding or running, set your net or trap in such place. Notice the strips running lengthwise of net. Their purpose is to widen that part of the net resting on the ground. Without them every particle of food can be taken by the birds without going into the net. Notice the light board with cross strips laid in the funnel of the net as shown in front view. This board while not absolutely neces- sary, is a great help in leading the birds into said net. The cross strips hold the food and help the birds to find the opening in the funnel. Sparrows can well be taken through the use of the same method if the mesh is small enough. Always keep a sharp watch over your net when it is set, making it a voint to look it over frequently each day, otherwise you may cause the destruction of the covey you hope to preserve, for when quail are thus caught in a net they fall easy victims to the attacks of cats, weasels, hawks or other predatory creatures. Remember it is a violation of the law to trap or net quail for any purpese, excepting that of keeping them alive during the winter or for the purpose of separating a covey. All quail thus taken must be released as soon as the weather is suitable in the spring. The penalty for catching quail in this manner for any other purpose than that above stated as fixed by section 15 of the act of May 1, 1909, is fifty dollars for each offense. This is simply for the taking of the birds in any manner excepting with a gun. There is also a penalty of twenty-five dollars for each bird taken out of season. CARE OF QUAIL IN CAPTIVITY. A good plan is to secure a good size room, say fourteen feet by fourteen feet, being sure all openings whereby rats or weasels can enter are closed. Cover the windows with woven wire and leave it open so that plenty of fresh air will be given. The quail is a very hardy bird and is not liable to freeze, so long as it has plenty of food and is kept dry. I recommend that the birds be confined in boxes or coops especially provided for that purpose, said box to be placed in the room previously made vermin proof and well ventilated. A good box or coop (see cut) can be cheaply and easily made by taking two boards, say four feet in length and nine inches in height (1) not too high or too low. Nail crossways to these two boards other boards, say two and one-half or three feet in length (2), so ‘that the short board will form the bottom and the long boards the 8 sides of the proposed coop or box. Board up one end (3) placing wire netting, one inch mesh, on the other end. (4) First inserting a strip at the top of that end. (5). This strip serves the double purpose of a support to the sides and a foundation upon which to tack your wire. Eighteen or twenty inches from said wire end, fasten crossways in said form a board the same width of side boards, (6), thus making two compartments. From the middle of this board to the middle of the rear end and running parallel with the sides fasten a second partition (7), thus making three compartments to the box. Before nailing the first described partition cut two open- ings. (8), about four inches by four inches, placing them so that they will come about the middle of the front end of each of the rear compartments, the purpose being to permit the quail, when frightened or disturbed to retreat through these openings into rear opening that will, when finished, be comparatively dark. Attach the blocks thus sawed out, with hinges, leather or otherwise, to serve as doors, so that the birds can be confined in either or both of the rear compartments as desired. You are ready now to affix the roof or cover of the coop which in all instances should be made of some rough, course cloth, such as can be obtained by ripping the sewed side and end of a coffee sack. Cut this cloth, so that it will extend over both ends and sides of the box, at least three inches in all directions. Tack a light strip, (9) say one inch square, to the edge of this cloth, that will fall over the sides of the box. Adjust cover so that it extends equally over all parts, then tack securely to the middle division, the one running lengthways. No. 7. You then have a cover that can be turned back from either side to the middle. The birds can be driven to either side compartment and the door fastened with a button. By turning back the opposite side, the box can be easily and readily cleaned. The birds are to be fed and watered in com- partment having wire front. My method of watering is to affix tin boxes or troughs to either side of this compartment. These troughs are attached so that they are half inside (10) and half outside of said compartment and about four inches from the floor. The boxes are so affixed that they can be taken out at pleasure for. cleaning purposes. I find that if these watering troughs are placed too near the floor, the quail, which are great scratchers, will keep them constantly filled with dirt. In affixing water troughs I make a tin box, (11) say three inches deep, four inches wide by ten inches long, soldering on each end about one-third length across said ends a small piece of tin, (12) say two: inches in length. This prevents the trough from slipping too far: into the box, and serves as a fastening through the use of a button: or tack or other appliance that may be considered best. To adjust a trough of this kind I make measurement of same on the box, ex~ 4) actly where I desire to introduce it. I bore an inch hole at each end of this measurement and saw out strip from, hole to hole, as near an inch in width as possible. (13). From each of these holes, ex- actly where the end of the trough will come and so same can be in- serted therein, I make a saw cut at right angles with and above said first named cut, (14) these cuts being about twice as long as trough is high, all together making a figure something like the cut attached, No. 13 and 14, second view. If the cuts are made to correspond with sides of trough there will be no trouble whatever in introducing or removing same at pleasure. If adjusted in this way the troughs can readily be cleaned without danger of having the birds escape, the slot before mentioned being too narrow for a quail to pass through. For the purpose of giving more light and air, than would be ad- mitted through the cover alone, I suggest boring one inch holes about three inches apart along the outer sides of rear compartments (15) and partitions, placing these holes about three inches from the floor, or about breast high to the bird. If placed too high, or where the birds can readily see objects on the outside, they are more easily frightened, than when holes are placed as before indicated, near their feet. The sticks or slats attached to the edge of the cloth top can be easily tied with strings to staples driven ito the sides of the box, say one string and staple to each end of said strip and one in the middle. The cloth top can be drawn as tight as you please by means of these strings. Ends can also be tied, thus cutting off all avenues of escape. In the side of one of the dark, compartments I suggest an open- ing with door, in size, about as in the inside partition, (16) so placed that all parts of said compartments can be reached with your hand thrust through this opening. The birds in this way can be tYxkem at pleasure, without danger of escape to the remainder of the punch. I have experimented with a box of this kind and fee, confident: 1 can keep three or even four dozen quail through fe entire winter: in a coop of this size and construction. Quail are attive and ener- getic and need plenty of room for exercise. The more room the better for them, and I only suggest this size. Larger boxes can be made if considered necessary. Points to be especially remembered are: Points to be Especially Remembered. The birds should always be kept out of reach of vermin. should be placed where they are safe from house cats. The birds should be placed so that the sunshine would be sure to reach them at some time during the day. Coops 10 They should be kept in a dry, well lighted, cool and airy place. Never in a room artificially heated, or in the dark, or in a damp place. They should be fed and watered regularly. Quail are great drink- ers and should not be stinted in their supply of water. See to it that your throughs are large and that plenty of fresh water is sup- plied daily. 3 Mixed food, such as buckwheat, cracked corn, screenings, millet, etc., is best. Coops should be cleaned frequently. Sand and gravel are as necessary as food. Road dust or wood ashes should be supplied at least once a week, otherwise you may have trouble with lice. I think it very important that the boxes or coops should in no instance be higher than twelve inches, nine inches seems to me to be about the correct measure. If the boxes are made too high the birds are very apt to injure themselves in an attempted flight or effort to escape. If too low they are liable to injure the tops of their heads by jumping up against the cover. This disposition of quail to jump makes the placing of a soft cover to the box or coop im- perative. By this method many more birds will be saved than in any other way, as they will not be exposed to storms and to the attacks of their natural enemies. If a room or coop cannot be secured, hang up bundles of unthreshed grain, wheat, rye, buckwheat, millet, or anything that will supply the need, or, better still, build covers under which they can feed, choosing warm, protected corners along fences for this purpose. A good way is to drive two stakes, say ten feet apart, and ten feet from the fence, lay a rail on the stakes, and rails from the fence to this rail, cover with brush or corn stalks. Be ‘sure to leave all sides open, so that the birds, if attacked by an enemy, Such as a weasel, or house cat, can readily make their escape. Build the cover about three feet high, so that while there will be plenty of light and air, it will be almost impossible for a hawk to strike the birds while feeding, which will be done if the cover it too high; scatter feed both threshed and unthreshed under this cover, see to it that your efforts are not undone by hawks, or house cats, or other predatory creatures. Two'or three covers of this kind will serve a good purpose on avy farm, and be followed by a full return for money and labor expended, through the work of the birds. Experiences teaches: That the idea of giving absolute protection to quail for a series of years, or to certain coveys on a farm, is not followed by the best results, unless the covey be trapped and sepa- rated, because, frequently two or three or more hen birds will lay in the same nest, the cock birds fight over them, and no hatching be the result. I therefore recommend the trapping of the birds in Net Set for Quail, front view. Sprinkle feed plentifully inside net, placing less food outside and on leading board, Net should in all instances have bottom squared so that birds can not reach the food through the sides, as they will do if the net is left round. Wings are not an absolute necessity, but will insure the capture of all birds that come within their limits. ACs ; Tye : ~ nee Sw “MOIA OPIS ‘[IVNY IOF 49S IN ‘aooId [1V} Ysnoig} yno uayey eq 07 aie [Tend Mayes Mig 2a 4 agen \) HA AINWY\) TY ig ~ “ aE noe r ‘A: A * a y ry Ligue 2s wee > / ca RN oa ag ne en ~ = yee i ey; A eer eae ee AN Bs he Riswawedue (mae Earn oi . aa) Os i-9 a zi Pea Ot : od (at ee > J ta a eons ¢ ° * ~ * Box for Keeping Quail, first view. : ' « s nt * a : rat Peer Lak } a eke } a i a : . ie i i 1) fie . Ba te Vex i ’ a] 4 mo . i : 5 Ay * re 7 As Pe ae ie 4 aera wie th i is me “i ts : i Oty ep) 7 at any cy ’ ' - ro vt, Fe | .) ua ; ' ‘ oi : i teh cae Be ~ nie yh” She es M rovat a 2 + 5 a AL Sea he tn " Box for Keeping Quail, second view. 11 every instance where it is possible, not only for the purpose of keep- ing them alive during the winter, but also for the purpose of separat- ing a covey to increase the chances of propagation. Where the birds are trapped they can well be allowed to run together during the greater part of the winter. Two or three weeks before they are to be liberated, divide them into pairs, placing a male and female in a Separate box or cage, feed and keep together. The probability is that the birds will mate, in captivity, or at least become so well acquainted that they will mate after their release. This will result in a covey for each pair of birds. By taking the cage or box in which the birds are confined, during the night time, to the place where one hopes to see the birds propagate, taking off the cover or slats, sprink- ling food around, and going away quietly, the birds, when daylight comes, will be induced to come out without fright, will feed, move around, feed again, and remain in that locality, without flying to places where they cannot be looked after, or protected. Another good method is to take the birds to be released into the territory where you wish to place them. Take each bird securely in your hand, reach as far as possible into a brush pile and free the bird. A pair, or two, or more, can be placed in this way with very little trouble. In selecting a location for the birds be sure that they are placed near running water and where plenty of cover, such as briars and brush abound. Don’t forget to scatter food frequently, say once or twice a week, at least, until the time comes when vege- tation starts and insects become plentiful. A little judicious handling and feeding will in all probability keep them there until the young are hatched, and frequently cause them to make that place their permanent home. If the covey you have trapped is released in pairs, on different days, on different parts of the farm, the probability is that they will not call together, but instead, will at once make preparations for housekeeping, with the result that several coveys will be found where you now have but -one. It is a well known fact that the male bird generally leads in the flight. I would suggest, therefore, as a means of keeping a pair of quail in a certain locality, that about two days before releasing the -birds you pluck five of the large feathers from the tip of one wing of the male bird; this, while not taking from the bird absolutely the power of flight, will cause it to fly in circles and prevent lengthy flights. The feathers will be renewed in about six weeks; in the meantime the birds will become fixed in the ee uae, and in all proba- bility have housekeeping started. Sportsmen and others interested in the winaeivatin of the wild turkey should see to it that food of sufficient quality, and in sufficient 12 quantity, be procured and placed during the winter months where it can be secured readily by these, the greatest of all game birds. Killing of Wild Birds Other Than Game Birds. I understand and appreciate the feeling of the farmer or fruit grower who sees the birds consuming his limited supply of berries or of fruit. I know his disposition to wreck vengeance, especially when he does not understand, that the previous work done by these very same birds, has made the crop upon which they were then feed- ing, possible. Some years ago, I arrested a farmer, living in the neighborhood of Harrisburg, for killing a dozen or more robins in his cabbage patch. He swore at the hearing before the Alderman that these birds were deliberately pulling up his cabbage plants, taking hold of them just as they took hold of a ground worm, pulling and hauling until the plant was torn out by the roots, after which it was cast aside, he saw these birds pull up hundreds of his plants, the law gave him the right to kill birds found destroying property and he had shot them. He was perfectly honest in his declarations in what he thought he had seen, but had not gone far enough in investigation to understand true conditions.