. The Canadian field-naturalist. October, 1927] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 149 pearance of native grouse should not be ascribed to contact with the Hungarian Partridge but it seems significant to the writer that, with con- siderable personal observation orer a wide area of Partidge-occupied country, he has yet failed to see the Sharp-tail in contact with the Partridge recover its old maximum of number after one of these cyclic depressions. This may be merely a coincidence of geography or observation or it maj'- represent the grim facts of the caseâtime only will tell this. In general, and t
. The Canadian field-naturalist. October, 1927] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 149 pearance of native grouse should not be ascribed to contact with the Hungarian Partridge but it seems significant to the writer that, with con- siderable personal observation orer a wide area of Partidge-occupied country, he has yet failed to see the Sharp-tail in contact with the Partridge recover its old maximum of number after one of these cyclic depressions. This may be merely a coincidence of geography or observation or it maj'- represent the grim facts of the caseâtime only will tell this. In general, and the country over, this is a low year for grouse. It will be five or six years before we can expect another normal maximum season. If, when that time comes, the Sharp-tails reach their usual high peak num- bers irrespective of association with the Par- tridge it will prove not that our alarms were un- founded but that we have blundered through a danger. Of course all this discussion is now purely academic. The Hungarian Partridge is with us, probably to stay, and it will spread just as far as ecological conditions are favourable whether we like it or not. If it has introduced disease into native stock that mischief is done and is ineradic- able now and even the total extermination of the original host would do no good now or at any succeeding date. However, the subject is of great interest and should be closely watched as a guide to policies of the future if for no other rea- son. The disturbing thought is, that no experience of this sort in the now is of much help in the future. Warnings of evil become buried in past literature and unknown to succeeding advisors who have most weight in such matters. In spite of all the disastrous results of introductions in the past, the English Sparrow and the two Starlings in this country, the rabbit in Australia, the Minah in Hawaii and the dozens of other cases that could be cited, attempts at acclimatization and intro- duction go merrily o
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