Page:Land Birds of the Pacific District (1890).djvu/18

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
8
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.


American Ornithologists' Union, which has changed considerably since this paper was commenced. Mr. Walter E. Bryant is entitled to credit for making the necessary changes and otherwise preparing it for the printer.

i. Colinus virginianus (Linn.) Bob-White.

Mr. Ramon E. Wilson, of the California Sportsman's Association kindly furnishes the following concerning introduced game birds; date, October 12, 1885: "Our efforts in that direction have resulted in failures, except as I will state. Mr. Estee, some years ago, placed two dozen bob-whites on his farm in Napa County. Every precaution was taken to protect them from hunters, and they were carefully looked after. They all soon disappeared, the theory being that they were destroyed by vermin. I learn that last February some of the same kind of birds were placed on the farms of Mr. Miller, Mr. Samuel Rea and Mr. J. P. Sargent, along Carnedero Creek, near Gilroy. It is said they have bred the past season, and their numbers materially increased. The experiments, however, from the length of time can hardly be called a success.

Some years ago some Arizona quail were put out near Folsom, but they all soon disappeared, and nothing has been heard of them since. Some bob- whites were placed on General Bidwell's place near Chico, but I understand they have disappeared also. Bob- whites roost on the ground and are therefore unable to protect themselves from the vermin which is so plentiful everywhere in California.

Some years ago a flock of English pheasants was put out in the woods of Santa Cruz county, but nothing has been seen nor heard of them since. Colonel Raymond of San Mateo has a number of these birds, English and