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230 THE CONDOR Vol. XIV VALLEY AND DESERT QUAILS Owing to the increased number of hunters, the increased facilities of transportation, and the increased efficiency of fire arms, we be- lieve it necessary that the season on quail be shortened. Quails must be considered the most important game birds of the state and therefore it seems our duty to do our utmost to conserve them. The toll taken by hunters during the present open season appears too large to allow these birds to hold their own. We recommend therefore the reduction of the open season to one month, October 15th to November 15th; the bag limit to be twenty per day as heretofore. MOUNTAIN QUAIL, GROUSE AND SAGE- HENS Here also we believe that a shortening of the season is needed for conservation. Two months, September 1st to November 1st ap- pears to us to be. the proper season. It is a well known fact that the Sage-hen especially has been greatly reduced in 'num- bers. Consequently, a shorter season must be demanded in order to save this valuable game bird. MOURNING DOVE In the East the Mourning Dove is not con- sidered a game bird. For .some years there has been considerable sentiment in favor of protecting the bird in this state. The Mourn- ing Dove is probably our best weed-seed de- stroyer. The U.S. Biological Survey has found as many as nine thousand two hundred weed seeds in the crop and stomach of one dove. The value of this bird to the agricultur- ist and horticulturist is therefore very great. We believe there will be little hardship to the hunter in foregoing the pleasure of shooting this bird. Its economic value certainly jus- tifies its ' complete protection. Furthermore the diminutive size of its .body minimizes its value as a game bird. BAND-TAILED PIGEON Up to the present time the Band-tailed Pigeon has received no protection. The total extermination of the Passenger Pigeon whose habits are somewhat like those of our native bird, emphasizes the necessity of protection for this bird. In that the Band-tailed Pigeon has a very slow rate of production, but one young bird being raised each year, it cannot withstand so large an amount of destruction as has been accorded it during past years. All of the evidence at hand points to the fact that this bird has been greatly reduced in numbers. Its habit of flocking together during its ap- pearance in California allows a slaughter which the bird is unable to withstand. Lest this bird go the way of the Passenger Pigeon, we recommend that an open season of three months, November 1st to February 1st, be granted, with the bag limit of fifteen per day. ENGLISH SPARROW The following is the final decision of the U. S. Biological Survey on the English Sparrow. "English sparrows are abundant in most of the towns in the United States and in many suburban districts. They are noisy, filthy and destructive. They drive native birds from villages and homesteads. Though they are oc- casionally valuable as destroyers of noxious insects, all things considered, they do far more harm than good. Practical methods of deal- ing with them include destruction of nests, shooting, trapping, and poisoning. Of these, trapping is unquestionably the best." This bird is rapidly spreading here in the state; consequently, we recommend that an investigation be instituted into the practicabil- ity of a war of extermination on the English Sparrow, to be carried on by the State Fish and Game Commission, SEA OTTER Perhaps the rarest mammal in California and the one whose fur is most valuable is the Sea Otter. A treaty Between the United Slates and neighboring nations has been drawn up and the law carrying this treaty into effect is now before Congress. We believe that Californ!a with its coast line should take an active inter- est in co-operating with the Federal govern- ment in the protection of this extremely val- uable mammal and should therefore pass a law absolutely protecting it. In that the prime ur of the Sea Otter is valued at near one 'thousand dollars, we believe that a law can only be made effective by making the killing of the Sea Otter a felony. FUR-BEARING MAMMALS The fur-bearing mammals of the state of California are no small asset. If figures showing the value of furs taken within the state were at hand they would doubtless fur- nish some astonishing evidence. In order that such mammals as the Bear, Raccoon, Mink, Badger, Marten, Fisher, Otter, Red Fox, Wolverine, Skunk and Ring-tailed Cat be conserved, we believe it necessary that a law providing protection for these mammals, except during the time when furs are prime, should be passed. There is a great deal of wanton killing of these mammals and it is only right that those still remaining should be killed only when their furs are of value. Provision should be made allowing the killing of any of these mammals found doing damage by any owner or tenant of premises; cases. of this necessary killing to be reported to the State Fish and Game Commission.