i ae os a a - perry a v — a. ee be i - y 4 t « < 4 o * ’ ij sd a . 7. > 2 + ‘ ‘ ~ = n ‘ F " ¥ . ¢ * v3 r . Ste wal Yo gee rio) . - er, | ,) a f DW / . . we : rae 4 * ° - < ‘XLHIOOS NOSID NVOINENVY DHL AO NOILYNOG WHEL ‘FIGL ‘AVIN GTAMASHA AWVS TVNOILYN GAVO GNIM GHL NO Guvt Lv oe i “s ; (ems e Vf bf o- c s, ar ", aes aes 4e~ ‘ EL pte Riga Ch teak Site» : = os Tre ; : al SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AMERICAN BISON SOCIETY OBJECT: THE PERMANENT PRESERVATION AND INCREASE OF THE AMERICAN BISON ANsonia mde it ity ~*~ (Soy “% ‘ 3 if) 4 JUN Lb 191Y¥ weet 3.14: < IZ, 1914 PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY 1914 COPYRIGHT 1914 ' BY rs ‘THE AMERICAN BISON SOCIETY — PRINTED BY =] : 4 . BROOKLYN EAGLE PRESS BROOKLYN, N. Y. CONTENTS OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY . ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT : ‘ : 3 TREASURER’S REPORT : : : ; : : , : : EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING . , é : 3 : : EicgHTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS GENS Ge erence Set er Geek ec ee er micicecl ty: Uae Aisa sta ds REPORT ON CANADA’S NATIONAL HERD . 3 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STATE HERDS : : REPORT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL HERD IN CAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE . é : : . LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE . A MEMBER’S RECOLLECTION OF THE DAYS OF BISON ABUNDANGE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WIND CAVE HERD . CONSTITUTION : é “ : A ; Z : ; : 7 List OF MEMBERS : : ; ‘ : , THE WIND PAGE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE DONATION OF THE AMERICAN BISON Soctety. AtT LARGE ON THE WIND CAvE NATIONAL GAME RESERVE, May, 1914 . ; . . Frontispiece READY TO COMMENCE THE CRATING . i 3 : : : sf ee ; , ial VIEW OF THE CHUTE SHOWING METHOD OF LINING WITH SMOOTH LUMBER TO PREVENT INJURY TO ANIMALS . : , : : : 4 c : 13 CLOSE VIEW OF THE CARS. OILCLOTH SIGNS PASTED ON STEEL Doors . . 18 VIEW OF PART OF THE EXPRESS TRAIN IN WHICH WE TRAVELED FROM New YorK TO CHICAGO, TAKEN AS WE STOPPED FOR A FEW MOMENTS AT A DEVESTON STATION si loc. ss oo56ocuebaeodoeoos Balance January le Nolan rae $100. 665. 2o4.C 174. 29.2 $ 70. 14. Bo Soe 338. ile OR 29. 1,150. ae ary oo > oo rau) 2 $1,757.89 $1,092.95 Previous to the shipping of the fourteen buffaloes to the Wind Cave National Park there was a balance of $407.55 in the Bison Fund. CLARK WILLIAMS, January 3, 1914. Audited and approved. WILLIAM P. WHARTON, ALBERT H. Pratt, Committee. 16 Treasurer. EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING. HE Highth Annual Meeting of the American Bison Society was called to order by President Franklin W. Hooper at 10.50 A. M., on Thursday, January 8, 1914, in the American Museum of Natural History, New York City. Those pr esent were: Dr. T. S. Palmer, Prof. Henry Fairfield Osborn, Col. John Schuyler Crosby, and Messrs. Pratt, Sauter, Edgell, Austin Corbin, Clark Willams, Loring, and Emerson, Mr. Stevens, assistant to the Treasurer, and several newspaper men. The minutes of the Seventh Annual Meeting were read by the Secretary, and stood approved. The Treasurer, Mr. Clark Williams, presented his report, showing a balance on Jan. 1, 1914, of $1,092.95, and it was received and referred to an auditing commit- tee to be appointed by the chair. President Hooper subsequently named Messrs. Pratt and Wharton on this committee, and still later the committee re- ported that the Treasurer’s accounts had been exam- ined and found correct. President Hooper then read his report to the so- ciety for the past year. He referred especially to the large increase in bison in North America during the life of the American Bison Society, but emphasized the fact that work of importance in assuring the future of the species still lies ahead, notably the establishment of at least one more national herd, and of state herds where possible. It was Voted: That the report of the Presi- dent be accepted and printed in full in the Annual Re- port of the Society. Prof. Osborn called attention to the fact that the present birth rate of the bison, as determined by the society’s census, almost equals the number existing at the time of the beginning of the society’s work. Prof. Osborn stated that he had seen the extermination of the prong-horn antelope going on for many years, and that any suggestion looking towards their pr eservation came very near his heart. These antelope had approx- imately the same range as the bison, and they can there- 2 iz) wi Fics Ks SOUTH TH banota PRESLIE sre GovnMeuy 814 Au sae "ALE CLOSE VIEW OF THE CARS. OILCLOTH SIGNS PASTED ON STEEL DOORS fore live on areas suited to the latter. He urged that the society extend the scope of its activities so as to 1n- elude the prong-horn. Prof. Osborn also dwelt upon the importance of cordial and repeated acknowledg- ment of the services of individuals and societies to the cause, as leading to more enthusiastic co-operation, and he praised the example set by Pres. Hooper in acknowl- edging so gracefully the services of the New York Zo- ological Soe ‘iety in the establishment of the herd on the Wind Cave National Game Preserve. At the request of the President, the Secretary read a letter from Secretary Houston of the Department of Agriculture, relative to the work of the society in con- nection with the Wind Cave National Herd. Tt was voted: To acknowledge this letter and to print it in the Annual Report. Called on to report on the work of the Biological Survey in connection with bison protection during the past year, Dr. Palmer stated that any report on the 18 Niobrara herd must necessarily be one of progress only. As to the Wind Cave Preserve, the delay had been caused chiefly by the necessity of purchasing certain private holdings to insure an adequate water supply. The reduction in the approvriation for fencing, ete., necessitated leaving out a few areas as recommended for purchase in the report made by Mr. J. A. Loring. Dr. Palmer described the three small parcels which have been acquired. Preparations, he said, are now be- ing made to fence a large section of the park. Bids for the digging of holes, s supplyi ing of wire, posts, ete., are now about to be called for, and ‘iti is hoped that the fence can be completed in the coming spring. About one-half of the appropriation has thus far been expended, and there is plenty left for the required fencing. Dr. Palmer called attention to the markedly dif- ferent conditions under which the first and the last gov- ernment herds were established. The animals for the VIEW OF PART OF THE EXPRESS TRAIN IN WHICH WE TRAVELED FROM NEW YORK TO CHICAGO. TAKEN AS WE STOPPED FOR A FEW MOMENTS AT A DIVISION STATION 19 National Zoological Park in Washington came east on a Slow freight; “the recent shipment to the Wind Cave Preserve travelled in modern steel cars attached to through passenger trains. One fast express was held for two hours in order that these bison might make con- nections without delay. Pres. Hooper requested Dr. Palmer to submit a report of the completion of the work on the Wind Cave Preserve for the forthcoming annual report, if such work were completed in time. Dr. Palmer then read the report of the Committee on State Herds, and this report was accepted and or- dered printed in the annual report. Pres. Hooper called attention to the report of Mr. H. R. Mitchell, who represented the N. Y. Zoological Society in looking after the shipment of the gift bison to the Wind Cave Preserve. He passed around some twenty-five or more very excellent photographs, sub- mitted by Mr. Mitchell with his report. It was voted to accept and print this very interesting account of Mr. Mitchell’s Acting for Prof. Osborn, Dr. Palmer presented the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the society : Resolved, That the protection and propagation of the prong-horn antelope be immediately undertaken by the American Bison Society in connection with its work for the buffalo; and that the Board of Managers is asked to request the president and officers to formu- late and execute a plan whereby this purpose may be carried out. This resolution, Dr. Palmer stated, was seconded by Dr. Hornaday. Col. John Schuyler Crosby referred briefly to an oe ee which occurred on the plains in the winter of 1878-1879, when the average estimate by officers on Sie ian s staff of bison seen in one day was over 243,000. Col. Crosby was requested to write an account of this and other experiences of his for publication in the next annual report. A nominating committee consisting of Messrs. 20 STARTING THE UNLOADING. NOTE THE VARIOUS KINDS OF VEHICLES FOR TRANS- PORTING THE CRATES Williams, Corbin, and Pratt was named by the chair, and retired to make up a list of candidates for the Board of Managers. In the absence of the committee, Mr. Edgell moved a further vote of thanks to the N. Y. Zoological Society for their gift to the Wind Cave National Game Pre- serve, and it was unanimously carried. It was also Voted: To extend the thanks of the American Bison Society to the authorities of the American Museum of Natural History for the use of the museum for the eighth annual meeting. Mr. Loring urged that steps be taken to place in some of the preserves, especially the Wind Cave Pre- serve, Rocky Mountain sheep. This could be effected, he believed, by capturing young lambs, rearing them earefully, and liberating them within the enclosure when they had grown large enough to take care of themselves. 21 UNLOADING THE BISON. A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE AT THE WIND CAVE NATIONAL BISON RANGE = The nominating committee then returned, and re- ported the following recommendations for the Board of Managers, class of 1917: Ernest Harold Baynes Col. John Schuyler Crosby A. Barton Hepburn Prof. Franklin W. Hooper Dr. Wm. T. Hornaday W. S. McCrea Dr. T. 8. Palmer George D. Pratt Edmund Seymour . On motion the Secretary was instructed to east one ballot for these gentlemen, and they were declared elected unanimously. Called on by President Hooper to give some ac- count of the Blue Mountain Forest, or Corbin, Herd of bison, Mr. Austin Corbin stated that there were about seventy-five animals in the preserves this year, and that births during the past season had diminished, probably owing to a too great number of bulls. With reference to the five bison offered to the Bison Society as a gift for the Wind Cave Preserve, Mr. Corbin stated that it was immaterial to the Blue Mountain Forest Association whether these were sent to that or some other range, provided they are placed where they will prosper and increase. The purpose of the gift was only to assist in securing the object of the society, namely: the permanent preservation and increase of the American bison. Mr. Corbin suggested that a state- ment regarding the National Herds be made public through the press. This was heartily seconded by Pres- ident Hooper, who suggested in addition the prepara- tion of a map showing the location of the various herds which could be given out together with the statement to the press generally, and also published in the Annual Report of the Society. During the consideration of new business Dr. Pal- mer called attention to the fact that, though the Com- 23 mittee on State Herds reported regularly each year, nothing has yet been accomplished along the lines of its recommendations. He stated that he had recently vis- ited the preserve of the Allegheny Sportsmen’s Asso- ciation in West Virginia, and had been impressed by the possibilities for bison and other big game. He asked if the Blue Mountain Forest Association would be will- ing to present two more animals to the Bison Society (cow and bull), if the Society would agree to supply three, these five to form a nucleus for a State Herd in West Virginia. Mr. Corbin took his proposal under advisement. President Hooper referred briefly to the recent death of Harry Radford, a very active and valuable member of the American Bison Society, whose love for animal life was boundless, and who was greatly re- spected and loved by all who knew him. He is said to have met death with a companion at the hands of Eski- mos. The Secretary was requested to spread upon the records of the meeting the substance of President Hooper’s remarks, and to record the deep regret with which the Society has learned of his death. The meeting adjourned at 12.35. WILLIAM P. WHARTON, Secretary. KIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS HE Eighth Annual Meeting of the Board of Man- agers ‘of the American Bison Society was held at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, on Thursday, January 8, 1914, at 2 P. M. Present were President Hooper (in the chair), Dr. Palmer, Prof. Osborn, Mr. J. A. Loring, and the Sec- retary. The minutes of the Seventh Annual Meeting were read and approved. President Hooper then yielded the chair to Dr. Pal- mer, and placed in nomination for President of the Society Prof. Henry Fairfield Osborn. The Secretary renominated President Hooper. On motion of the lat- ter the Secretary was instructed to cast one ballot for Prof. Osborn, who was accordingly declared elected. Dr. William T. Hornaday and Dr. John C. Phillips were elected First and Second Vice-President, respec- tively. The Secretary was re-elected, but he announced that he could not serve after the expiration of the year just beginning. Mr. Clark Williams was unanimously re-elected as Treasurer. The Executive Committee was named as follows: Dr. T. 8S. Palmer, Prof. F. W. Hooper, Dr. William T. Hornaday, Mr. H. A. Edwards, Mr. Edmund Sey- mour. The President and Seer etary are ex-officio mem- bers, according to the constitution. Prof. Hooper then stated three objects which, in his opinion, should be worked for during the coming year: (1) Co-operation with the National Government in the establishment of a herd of bison in Sully’s Hill National Park, North Dakota, by transferring at least five bison from the Yellow stone National Park Her d, the Society furnishing at least five animals from other sources. (2) The establishment of a State Game Pre- serve in the Adirondacks or Catskills on State land, with the understanding that the American Bison So- 25 OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE BISON IN A CORNER OF THE FIFTY-FIVE-ACRE PASTURE THE MORNING FOLLOWING THEIR LIBERATION ciety would furnish a nucleus herd of not less than ten bison. (38) Co-operation with the State of West Vir- ginia in the formation of a herd on the present State Preserve in Pocahontas County, the Society agreeing to supply one bull and two cows, if the State will secure a similar number. In Professor Hooper’s opinion it also will be well for the Society to recommend to the State authorities of Wisconsin the placing of a nucleus herd of bison in the State Park in Door County. Dr. Palmer referred briefly to the project of a herd of bison in the Sequoia National Park, California. The limited amount of forage in the park, most of which is needed by the horses and mules of campers and park guardians, makes the advisability of creating such a herd doubtful. The movement is at present dormant. In view of the passage of a resolution at the An- nual Meeting of the Society, definitely committing the Society to the task of preserving the prong-horned an- telope, the Board requested the President and Execu- 26 J Ste ah ee en tive Committee to take action on this matter as soon as possible. Dr. Palmer reported, in this connection, that the Montana National Bison Range, the Wind Cave Na- tional Game Preserve, the Niobrara Reservation and the Wichita National Game Preserve are all very well suited to antelope. In reply to a question from the Secretary as to why the few antelope which had been placed on the Montana and Wichita Ranges had not succeeded better, Dr. Palmer stated that, in his opinion, coyotes were responsible in the former, and hurts received during shipment in the latter. It is very difficult to ship ante- lope without losing a large percentage of the animals both during and after the journey. There followed a general discussion of this problem. Dr. Palmer suggested that where the census shows that there is but a single bison owned by a municipality, a state, or other public agency, the Secretary suggest to the authorities in charge the advisability of obtain- ing an animal of the other sex, in order to perpetuate the breed, and that the Secretary communicate with Dr. Palmer with reference to the matter. The Board then adjourned. WILLIAM P. WHARTON, Secretary. 27 CENSUS OF AMERICAN BISON IN NORTH AMERICA ON JANUARY 1, 1914 Owner and Location ARIZONA: Grand Canyon Game Preserve—* Cc. J. Jones 3,b22 CALIFORNIA: San Francisco—Golden Gate Santa Ynez—J. H. Henry . CoLORADO: Denver—City Park he mE Le Veta Pass—The Trinchera Estate Co. Re ee DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Washington Nat. Zoological Park GEORGIA: Atlanta—Dept. of Parks ILLINOIS: Chicago—Lincoln Park . Granville—A. W. Hopkins Rushville—W. R. Leach Wenona—Chas. H. Burgess INDIANA: Nappanee—J. S. Walters Iowa: Davenport—City Park Iowa Falls—City Park . Keokuk—Rand Park oF tO Keota—J. O. Singmaster & Son . Spirit Lake—John Reinhart . KANSAS: Belvidere—Soldier Creek Park . Topeka—Park Department .. | Wichita—City Park 3 ne || KENTUCKY: Junction City—Joe E. Wright Owensboro—W. E. Whitely & Son MARYLAND: Baltimore—Druid Hill Park . MAINE: Nat. Soldiers’ Home . MASSACHUSETTS: Auburndale—Norumbega Park Co. Boston—Zoo. Garden - Lexington—Lexington Park Springfield—Forest Park . : West Brookfield—Indian Rock Farm SNe sh leew MICHIGAN: Detroit—Belle Isle Park ae Morley—De Mott’s Combined Shows | Iemales Males 3 ti 8 21 1 3 8 6 a 101 7 8 iL 2 4 ial 2 3 2 0 i 0 1 1 3 il a il 2 2 14 G i 4 18 28 3 2 1 1 il 2 1 1 3 il 1 4 1 il 1 0 il 0 1 2 7 ae PT 2 4 i 0 | a Living young born in 1913 rs wo on e oO ies) ooo o Total oo em bo O1ol bo * Figures of 1913; none available this year 28 Living young Owner and Location Males Females born | Total in 1913) MINNESOTA: | | Minneapolis—Thomas Frankson | it 2 0 | 3 MISSOURI: | Kansas City—Horne’s Zoo, Arena 6 10 4 20 St. Louis—Forest Park. .. . 3 it aL 4 MonTANA: | Butte—Electric Railway Co. Co- | | lumbia Gardens .. | 2 | 2 0 4 Kalispell—Est. of C. E. Conrad . 20 t? ge Sit > ale} ail Montana National Range—U. S. | Government. ee res Se al aA | 154: 1155 97 Ronan—Michel Pablo. praas ae es oe| perhaps 20 wild | NEBRASKA: | Crete—Anton Vayra 2 il 1 a Lincoln—Board of Park Comm’ rs 1 3 af 4 Omaha—Riverview Park : 2 a 2 9 Valentine—Niobrara Reservation 5 5 2 10 New HAMPSHIRE: | Newport—Blue Mt. Forest Assn. 41 28 is 69 Tilton—Wm. H. Moses. .. . il | it | 0 2 New YORK: Buffalo—Zoological Garden . . 2 | ft 0 3 N. Y. City—Zoological Park . . 17 Ye aly 6 29 Cen, Park Menagerie 3 3 1 6 Rochester—Seneca & Durand— HastmManweacks sso sees 4 2 0 6 OHIO: | Cleveland—City Park . . oa a 1 0 | 0 1 Cincinnati—Zoological Garden 8 | 6 2 14 South Newbury—W. B. Cleveland 3 1 0 | 4 Toledo—City Park . : 2 il 0 3 OKLAHOMA: | Wichita Game Preserve—U. S. | | Government. popes I gy Bie sade + ik as Bliss—101 Ranch—Miller Bros.* 3 29 6 | 32 Pawnee—Major J. W. Lillie*. . | 8 36 Ba | 84 OREGON: | Pendleton—The Roundup. . . | 1 1 0 | 2 PENNSYLVANIA: Allentown—Harry C. Trexler 5 Ul 3 aly Philadelphia—Zoological Park .- 4 7 Dey rae otal SD haart eee Park Zoo Garden . . 0 2 | 0 2 SoutH DAKoTA: a Fort Pierre—James Philip* . . 345 ho 7D 345 Wind Cave Nat. Game Preserve | 6 | 8 0 14 * Figures of 1913; none available this year. 29 Living young Owner and Location Males Females born Total in 1913 TEXAS: Goodnight—Charles Goodnight . 5) 107 22? 164 UTAH: about about Salt Lake City—John E. Dooley* 70 18 70 WASHINGTON: Seale ait kes aiid meter 4 2 2 6 WISCONSIN: | Milwaukee—City Park ... . 1 | 3 i 5 WYOMING: Yellowstone National Park— Fenced Herd . TA eel Sleeves 29 163 Wild PAu als sewn et ee | @ er 567 CANADA | Buffalo Park—Canadian Gov’t . | 500 | 476% 236 Elk Island Park—Canadian Gov't 26 Yates cis 1 1558 Banff National Park—Canadian GOVeENMEente ay ol ae oe 19 ) alt) 2 ATHABASCA: | (Wild Bison) * about 450 ae 450 BRITISH COLUMBIA: Vancouver—Board of Park Comrs. | 1 2 1 3 MANITOBA: Winnipeg—Assininboine Park . | 3 3 1 6 ONTARIO: Hamilton* . Mo kOe al 1 al 2 Toronto—Riverdale Park . Nets 1 0 2 St. Thomas—Robert J. Miller 2 2 0 4 * Figures of 1913; none available this year y No accurate count made; 7 calves were seen with one band. = These figures refer to adult animals only and do not include either yearlings or calves. The report on Canadian herds, printed elsewhere in this Report, would seem to indicate that there are 234 yearlings, sex not specified. SUMMARY AMERICAN BISON OF PURE BLOOD IN NORTH AMERICA 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1908 1903 Captive in United | States . 5 TiO) AOE I aR abel We aoe I Lal | Sa Captive in Canada iby) || abete} i) alse! 954 626 476 | 41 Captive in North | America ; 3,212 | 2,954.; 2,482 | 2,285 | 1,633 | 1,592 | 1,010 Wild in North America : 576 EAE) | cells 475 475 325 | All pure blood bison in North America| 3,788 | 3,453 | 2,907 | 2,760 | 2,108 | 1,917 REPORT ON CANADA’S NATIONAL HERD For THE CALENDAR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1913 HE Dominion Parks Branch has under its admin- istration seven National Parks, two of which have been specially set aside for the protection of bison, viz., Buffalo Park, near Wainwright, Alta., containing an area of 104,000 acres, entirely fenced, and Elk Island Park, near Lamont, ‘Alta., also fenced, containing an area of 16.9 square miles. The only other National Park in which to-day bison are maintained is the Rocky Mountains Park at Banff, Alta., where a small herd is kept as an attraction to tourists and others. The main herd of bison is maintained at Buffalo Park and consists of 1,446 animals, made up as follows 500 adult bulls, 476 cows and 470 calves and yearlings of both sexes. There has been a natural increase in this park of 236 calves, successfully raised, during the year and for the same period a decrease of ten animals as follows: 1 cow shipped to Winnipeg for the city park, 1 bull and 1 cow shipped to Dublin, Ireland, for the Royal Zoological Society’s gardens there, 4 pulls and 1 cow killed on account of i injuries through fighting, 2 bulls which died from injuries through fighting. There have been no acquisitions to the herd other than by natural increase in Buffalo Park. In Elk Island Park there are 83 bison, the herd consisting of 26 bulls, 45 cows and 12 calves of both sexes. The decrease in this park, during the past year, amounted to only one animal, a bull, injured while fighting. No acquisitions, other than by natural in- crease, and no disposals of bison, were made in regard to Elk Island Park. In Rocky Mountains Park a small herd of 29 bison were maintained during the year, consisting of 19 bulls and 10 cows; a natural increase of two took place dur- ing the year and a decrease of one bison, a bull, which died from injuries through fighting. By the time this report is in print, the cows which 31 A VIEW OF THE BISON IN THE OPEN, SHOWING THE CHARACTER OF FOOTHILLS IN PRESENT ENCLOSED PASTURE ANOTHER VIEW OF THE BISON ALONG THE FENCE LINE were in Rocky Mountains Park will be at Buffalo Park, and 11 of the aged bulls in the latter park will be added to the 19 bulls at Rocky Mountains Park, thus forming an exhibition herd of 30 bulls, which it is considered will be an added attraction to tourists and others visit- ing Banff in the Rocky Mountains Park. The following table may prove of interest as show- ing the increases, importations, decreases, ete., of all the bison in the three parks, from 1909 to January 1st last, which are maintained by the Dominion govern- ment. ANNUAL INCREASE AND DECREASE | Balance Butchered, | from died or Total at | Per cent | previous given end of | of annual year | Increase | Imported away. year | increase US O Obras ker acre tc 469 54 218 5G! 685 ql Be a UO ee Acme 685 ala 89 9 882 16.7 TOMA RA, Raps 6 pos 15 882 188 22 ie | 1,079 21.3 LO Meters eeratc oes 1,079 241 7 vi 1,320 22.3 OTS ae cpe ce ae & 1,320 250 2 1,558 19.0 The percentage of increase as above shown, with special reference to the last year, is most gratifying, and still more so when it is considered that the yearly increase under purely natural conditions and among wild herds of bison has been estimated at only 5 per cent, owing to occasional starvation during winter months, wolves, and the enormous losses sustained through the at one time annual migrations when many bison perished through crossing rivers and lakes and breaking through rotten ice. Special attention has, since the creation of this branch, been paid to the prevention of disease, espe- cially any diseases of an epidemic or contagious order, and so far, thanks to the intelligent carrying out on the part of the park superintendents concerned of all instructions in regard to water, feed, strict segrega- tion of any bovines or other animals in or near the parks, where the bison are maintained, and which have manifested symptoms of epidemic or contagious dis- ease, no such cases have appeared among the bison. 3 33 In regard to the wild, so-called wood bison in the vicinity of Fort Smith, no further information than that contained in the previous report need here be men- tioned, with the exception that the latest reports show that a larger number of calves have been successfully raised among them than for some time previously, ow- ing to the fact that the large timber wolves of the North have during the past year devoted their energies mostly to the more easily preyed upon caribou, which in large numbers have lately frequented the country contiguous to the wild bison’s range. However a report of May 15th last from the De- partment’s agent at Fort Smith, states that on March 26th preceding portions of the carcass of a two-year- old bison were found which had newly been killed by five timber wolves. The question of raising the bounty on these wolves from $20.00 to $40.00 per wolf pelt is now being con- sidered, and it is hoped that shortly a comprehensive scheme will be carried out by which these wild bison, now known to be the finest species of their race, will be still further safeguarded, as it is to them that we must ultimately look for future necessary infusion of un- related blood among the national herds. Respectfully submitted, MAXWELL GRAHAM, Chief of the Animal and Zoological Division. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STATE HERDS By T.S. Pater LTHOUGH nothing very definite in establishing State herds of buffalo was accomplished during the year, legislation was enacted in several States pro- viding for game refuges, and a member of the Com- mittee visited one or two of the preserves which may be utilized for buffalo. Very few of the States have seriously entered upon the problem of restocking with big game or establishing parks or preserves for deer, elk, or other big game, although Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Utah and Oregon have placed deer or elk in preserves, and several of the western States have hberated elk in National Forests. During 1913 fifteen new State game preserves were provided in several of the western States. Only a few of these are suitable for buffalo, among the more promising being the Capitol Preserve in Oregon, and the State game preserve in Custer County, South Dakota. There are, however, several other State preserves already in existence which might be utilized in this way. Of these the following are the more important: MinneEsota.—Itasca State Park: Created in 1891, with an area of 20,000 acres under the charge of the State Forester. The park will probably be stocked with elk this winter and it might also be used for buffalo. NortH Caroitina.—At the special session of the North Carolina Legislature on October 6, 1913, a bill was ratified providing protection for big game in Fair- view Park, at Albemarle, Stanly County, and other private preserves in the State. Fairview Park is worthy of examination as a possible place for buffalo. SoutH Daxora.—The State legislature has re- cently established a game refuge of 8,000 acres in Cus- ter County, secured through exchange of school sec- tions in the National Forests. An appropriation of $15,000 has been made for fencing this preserve. Ef- forts are being made to stock it with elk and antelope 35 VIEW TAKEN WHILE THE BISON WERD GRAZING. NOTICE THE EXCELLENT CONDITION OF THE GRASS VIEW TAKEN TO SHOW THE SUBSTANTIAL CHARACTER OF THE FENCE a ANOTHER VIEW SHOWING THE SPLENDID WINTER GRAZING during the present year. The location is only 20 miles north of the Wind Cave National Park and the country is In many respects very similar. It would be an ad- mirable location for a part of the Phillips herd if the State should be able to acquire some of these buffalo. West Vircinta.—While West Virginia has no State game preserve the Allegheny Sportsmen’s As- sociation has a magnificient preserve in Pocahontas County, including about 25,000 acres adjoining the Virginia boundary. Most of this preserve is fenced, and the Association has recently erected a commodious Club house and has a caretaker on the ground at all times. There are many deer, some elk, bear, and wild turkeys already on the place. There is ample feed for buffalo and a herd could be installed at a minimum of expense. The introduction of elk has been accom- plished through co-operation between the State warden and the Association, the preserve being utilized by the 37 State for big game in the absence of any regular State refuge. Buffalo formerly ranged over the lands in the valley not far from the club house and would undoubt- edly thrive if reintroduced in this locality. Wisconstn.—The State Park, which is also a game refuge, includes 600 acres in Door County. This park is located on the east side of Green Bay and includes both open grazing lands and timber. It is well watered, has abundant feed and is apparently well adapted for buffalo and other big game, the only objection being the necessity for feeding during part of the winter and the comparative inaccessibility. When the park be- comes better known, it will undoubtedly be the center of attraction for many visitors, as it is not far from several popular summer resorts on the east side of Green Bay. STOCKING THE PRESERVES.—It is beyond the means of the American Bison Society to provide herds for the various State parks, and such action is probably unnecessary. The Yellowstone National Park now has a considerable number of superfluous bulls of various ages, and the Superintendent of the park has recom- mended that provision be made for disposing of some of these animals. If these bulls could be distributed to some of the State preserves on condition that for each bull two cows should be provided, it might solve the question of establishing one or more State herds. Cows can be purchased either from the Phillips’ herd, at Pierre, S. Dak., or the Corbin herd, at Newport, N. H., or from other private herds. Some States have funds which could be used for such purposes, or in spe- cial cases the Society might assist in securing a few animals to inaugurate the movement. The plan is be- lieved worthy of careful consideration, and it is hoped that in some such way, directly or indirectly, the estab- lishment of one or more herds may be brought about in the near future through the medium of this Society. REPORT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL HERD IN THE WIND CAVE NATIONAL GAME PRESEKVE To Dr. FRanKtIN W. Hooper, President, American Bison Society: Regarding the transportation of the bison herd from the New York Zoological Park to the Wind Cave National Bison Range, I beg to report as follows: The shipping of live bison, while not an extremely hazardous undertaking where conditions are fairly favorable for their handling , involves careful attention to details in the preparation of arrangements for their capture, crating and transportation. Just such care was given to the arrangements for the shipment and de- livery of the fourteen animals presented to the Ameri- can Bison Society by the New York Zoological Society, and in turn given by them to the United States Govern- ment as the nucleus of a National herd to be established in Wind Cave National Park in the southwestern part of South Dakota. Your Society having assumed re- sponsibility for the safe delivery of these animals at their destination, in accordance with your instructions, preparations were commenced for their forwarding in the last week of November. The only means of handling a wild animal of the size and strength of a full grown bison with a minimum risk of injury is by confining it closely and securely in a erate of sufficient size only to permit of reasonable comfort, without being large enough to allow of too ereat freedom. The crate is built with all framing on the outside and with perfectly smooth timber on the inside; the bottom, sides and ends solid to a height of about three feet, and the remainder spaced about three- quarters of an inch apart to furnish hght and ventila- tion. The framing is usually reinforced on the outside, either by iron angles or heavy galvanized strips, to prevent spreading or racking. In this ease, because of the long distance to be coy- ered, the crates were provided with small hinged doors 39 ONE OF THE CORNER POSTS, SHOWING METHOD OF BRACING AND ANCHORING rast ont: a? ou. RANGE CATTLE GRAZING ON UNFENCED PORTION OF THE BISON RANGE at each end, to permit feeding and watering the ani- mals en route, and cleaning the crates when necessary. The fourteen animals to be sent were carefully selected by Dr. Hornaday, Director of the Zoological Park, from the herd of forty- two head—an equal num- ber of each sex, all ages being represented. The work of crating commenced on the morning of November 24th. Crates were placed at the end of a long chute which had previously been carefully lined with smoothly dressed heavy plank. Little trouble was ex- perienced in getting the animals safely into the crates. In several cases they tried to leave the chute and avoid entering the waiting crate, but all attempts were futile after they had once entered the narrow passage. The crating was successfully completed on Novem- ber 24th, and the erates stored for the night in one of the nearby service buildings. Arrangements had been made in advance to secure two steel express cars of the very latest pattern to carry the shipment through to destination without transfer. These were placed on the New York Central siding at Fordham at ten o’clocix on November 25th, and the transfer to them began at once. In order to get the cars into a fast express train leaving the Grand Central Station at 6.15 that evening, it was necessary to have them ready for transit to the Grand Central Station by a switch engine at four o’clock in the afternoon. Carpenters were immediately put to work building bunks in the end of one car, for the accommodation of those who were to accompany the shipment. The writer represented your Society and Mr. Fred M. Dille, In- spector in charge of the Wind Cave National Park, and Mr. Frank Rush, Supervisor of the Wichita Na- tional Bison Range, represented the Government. A quantity of timothy hay and crushed oats suf- ficient to supply the animals during the time sched- uled for the trip with a liberal allowance for possible delays on the road was loaded in each car. At last all was ready, and we left the cars temporarily in charge of an express employee to meet them later made up 41 in an express train of fourteen cars in the Grand Cen- tral Terminal. Promptly at 6.45, Tuesday evening, November 25th, we glided slowly out of the great terminal on to the main track and moved rapidly away on the long journey. Our route was to be over the New York Central to Suspension Bridge, Michigan Central to Chicago, and Chicago & Northwestern to destination. The pre- arranged schedule which we hoped to follow called for our arrival in Chicago at 7.45 P. M. Wednesday (25 hours). We were due to leave Chicago at 10.15 the same evening and reach Missouri Valley, Lowa, at 8 o’clock, Thursday morning, leaving there a half hour later for Hot Springs, South Dakota, where we were to arrive at 9.30 Friday morning, November 28th, a total of sixty-three hours for the trip of tivo thousand miles. A great deal of interest was taken in the shipment AN OPEN VALLEY ON THE UNFENCED PORTION OF BISON RANGE. THESE RANGE CATTLE WINTER THERD WITHOUT OTHDPR FEED OF ANY KIND 42 EE —-_ A VIEW OF THE TIMBERED PORTION OF THE BISON RANGE. ABOUT ONE-HALF THE 10,000 ACRES IS OF THIS NATURE at all of the stopping points along the line. The ex- planatory labels which were pasted on each side of each car immediately attracted the attention of those near the stations, and if the stop was of sufficient length to permit, a crowd gathered quickly about the cars and asked many questions or climbed up to get a look at our strange charges. Where time and circumstances would permit it, we allowed some of them to peep through the crates at the animals near the door. Our train lost time in the yards at Detroit and through Michigan, with the result that we reached Chi- cago several hours late and long after the schedule leav- ing time for our connection over the Northwestern. A delay of at least ten hours seemed inevitable, but to our surprise we learned that the Northwestern train was being held for us until we could cover the inter- yening six miles between terminals by means of a switeh engine, which we accomplished in record time. 43 It was at first expected that the entire distance would be covered in passenger train, and that those in attendance would have no difficulty in getting meals either in dining cars or at regular eating stations along the line, but at the last moment it was found possible to include our two cars in a full train of express cars only, and this arrangement was continued as far as Missouri Valley, Iowa. While this greatly facilitated the rapid handling of the cars through terminals, it worked somewhat of a hardship on the attendants; but fortunately, foreseeing a possibility of something of this kind, just before we started we laid in a limited suv- ply of canned goods and other edibles, and provided our- selves with a small alcohol stove. These as it happened we were obliged to depend upon entirely until we reached Missouri Valley in the forenoon of Thanks- giving Day. As we had a stop there of three or four hours awaiting connections, Mr. Rush was made a com- mittee of one to arrange for a suitable Thanksgiving Dinner at a nearby hotel, and one can readily imagine we did full justice to the menu which included turkey and cranberry sauce. We expected more or less trouble in watering our animals en route, as our cars were not provided with water tanks, so we placed an empty barrel in each ear, and by having the head cut down so that it would fit inside and act as a float, we were able to keep the barrels partly filled without their slopping badly. These we had refilled along the road. This was only necessary once as we found most of the animals would drink but little; in fact one or two did not drink a drop of water during the entire journey, while others drank freely once or twice a day. All ate fairly well of hay and crushed oats after the first night. The greater number of the animals remained quiet and laid down and got up in their crates at their pleas- ure after they were once loaded in the ears, but several continued to be *‘scrappy”’ all the way, and would kick the crates violently on the shghtest provocation. The run over the twelve “mnile spur from Buffalo Gap to Hot Springs was the slowest part of the trip, 44 A PARTICULARLY BEAUTIFUL ROCK LEDGE IN THE BISON RANGE requiring nearly an hour, but we reached our destina- tion on the time originally planned before leaving New York, 9.30 A. M. Friday morning. Our arrival was, as may be expected, quite an event, and the populace generally turned out to welcome us. By previous ar- rangement and wiring ahead we had the details well worked out, so that little time was lost in getting the work of unloading under way. Our cars were im- mediately switched to the Burlington yards which were nearly two miles nearer our destination than the North- western. The entire truck equippage of Hot Springs had been chartered for the transportation to the range and numerous other vehicles, including several coal wagons, were pressed into service. By noon the un- loading was completed and the crates securely lashed or chained to the wagons. A hurried luncheon fol- lowed and before one o’clock the procession started off on the winding road to the Bison Range. Mr. Rush 45 VIEW IN THE MORE THICKLY TIMBERED PART OF THE RANGE OUR TEAM OF PONIES AND RIG WITH WHICH WE INSPECTED THE GREATER PART OF THE RANGE travelled with the teams to be on hand in case of any emergency, while Mr. Dille and myself, after stocking up with a respectable load of provisions, followed in an automobile and passed them a few miles out on the road. The day was bright and beautiful, and as we came in sight of the long string of slowly moving teams against the background of the clear-cut timbered out- line of the distant Black Hills, we could not help but feel that this small group of captive animals were com- ing in to their own. We soon reached the Cave headquarters, about two miles distant from the enclosed range, where we waited, hoping to get some good photographs of the arrival; but alas, the journey was too long to be accomplished wholly in daylight. The teams lagged on the last half of the trip, and it was seven o’clock before they reached the point selected for liberating the animals. A number of interested persons who wanted to see the bison ac- tually released had come out from Hot Springs in automobiles. A raw, cold wind was blowing by this time, and as there was plenty of good fire wood at hand a rousing bonfire was built which somewhat dimmed our two lanterns. In order to lessen the labor of unloading, trenches had been dug just outside the entrance to the enclosed range into which each wagon backed as its turn came, bringing the rear end close to the ground so that the crates could be worked off inside the fence. The first animal took its release very calmy and only when noisily urged disappeared into the surround- ing darkness. The unloading by the uncertain lght of our lanterns and bonfire proved to be a more or less difficult task. Greatly to the surprise and disappoint- ment of some of our spectators, we had a good deal of trouble in getting some of the bison out of their crates. In several cases the operation was more like removing the crate from the animal than the animal from the crate. At last our task was over, and it was with some- thing of a feeling of relief that we realized that our trip had been brought to a successful conclusion, prac- 47 BRIDGE NEAR HEADQUARTERS OFFICE. ENTRANCE TO THE WIND CAVE IS ABOUT FIFTY FEET BELOW THIS POINT tically without a hitch in our arrangements or the slightest injury of any kind to man or beast. Return- ing to Hot Springs at that hour was out of the question for the teams, so they were made comfortable in the large barn at the range, and we set out on foot for the headquarters, about two miles distance, reaching there at midnight. As the cook could get no information about our coming in advance there was a short wait followed by a midnight supper that will not be soon forgotten by those present. Against my vigorous pro- test Mr. Dille gave up his bed to me and, making Mr. Rush and myself at home in the headquarters’ office, took his blankets and camped in the barn. The next morning Mr. Rush and I set out for the range to see how the bison were taking their liberty and to get a few photographs. We found the animals grazing con- tentedly on the open range, and showing no signs of their recent unpleasant experiences. 48 We spent the morning looking over the tempor- arily enclosed range of fifty-five acres, and in the after- noon, accompanied by Mr. Dille, drove as completely over the Bison Range as time would permit. The Wind Cave National Bison Range now con- tains 10,522 acres, funds for the fencing of about one- half of which have been granted by Congress. Plans are already approved for the fencing of the eastern half, and work will begin as early in the spring as weather conditions permit. In comparison with the Wichita National Bison Range in Oklahoma, this range, in addition to being entirely free from the Texas fever tick, has the ad- vantage of a very much better winter range. While the long dry fall that prevailed in this section undoubt- edly contributed greatly to the condition of winter range this season, open spaces and southern slopes ex- posed to the sun as well as timbered and protected val- leys are abundant. ON THE ROAD FROM HOT SPRINGS TO THE THE BISON RANGE 49 I believe that under ordinary conditions after this winter, when the bison have become thoroughly ac- climated, it will be unnecessary to feed any hay. The work of fencing the present enclosure has been done in a very substantial manner. Lines have been run with as few angles as possible, and corners and angle posts securely. anchored. This report should not be closed without mak- ing special acknowledgment of the courtesy of the American Express Company i in extending special rates for the shipment, and congratulations to them and the railroad lines over which it passed for their admirable record of its handling. Respectfully submitted, H. R. MITCHELL. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 30, 1913. Pror. FRANKLIN W. HOOPER, President, American Bison Society, Brooklyn, New York. Dear Sir: The Department is advised that the fourteen head of buffalo, furnished by the New York Zoological Society, and presented by the American Bison Society as a nucleus herd for stocking the Wind Cave National Park at Hot Springs, 8. Dak., arrived safely at the Park, and are now established in a temporary enclosure. On behalf of the Department I beg to extend through you to the American Bison Society our thanks for this magnificent gift which has resulted in the establishment of another National game preserve and the acquisition of another herd of buffalo under Govern- ment auspices. It may interest your members to know that the Government now has about 345 buffalo, distributed in six herds, the fifth and sixth having been established this year on the Niobrara Reservation, Neb., and the Wind Cave Park, 8. Dak. In this connection it is interesting to reeall that the nucleus of the first herd, the one now in the Na- tional Zoological Park, was acquired twenty-five years ago through the late Eugene E. Blackford, and consisted of a pair of buffalo captured near Ogallala, Neb. Soon after, four others were presented by Dr. V. T. McGillicuddy, a public spirited citizen of Rapid City, S. Dak. It happens that after the lapse of a quarter of a century the Government has re-established on National reservations a herd of buffalo in each of the States from which the original herd was secured. Since 1888 great changes have occurred, both in the condi- tion of the buffalo and in public sentiment regarding their preserva- tion. The future of the species now seems assured, and the reports of the past few years show a gratifying increase in the various public and private herds. About ten per cent. of the buffalo in captivity now belong to the Government, and are distributed in six herds, the last four in charge of this Department, as follows: 1. National Zoological Park, Washington, D. C...... 1888... 2 15 21) Nellewstone, Nawonal, bark, Wyss «cisco, satis 19022 3.6? 3” Wichita, Game Preserve; (Okla. so. arcsec ess 2 te 1907.... 48 4. Montana Bison Range, Dixon, Mont............. L909. 20 86 5. Niobrara Reservation, Valentine, Neb............. tS I fete! 0) 6)" Wind Gave National Park, S>Dak?. 2. 22.2. 4-45: LOD Se: cuss ct otal ites aan 345 51 I am not unmindful of the fact that much of the work in behalf of the preservation of the buffalo has been done by a former president of your Society, Dr. W. T. Hornaday, who took an active part in securing the first Government herd, and also in the acquisition of four of the others. The new preserve on the Wind Cave National Park, established on the recommendation of your Society, is one of the most accessible, and in certain respects, the best of any of the bison ranges. It is admirably adapted not only for buffalo, but also for elk, deer, and antelope, and preparations are now being made for the transfer of a herd of elk this winter. Work on the fences will be pushed as rapidly as possible, and we hope that at an early date the South Dakota pre- serve will be ready for visitors and will fulfill in every way the expectations of the American Bison Society. Respectfully, DE: HOUSTON: Secretary. A MEMBER’S RECOLLECTION OF THE DAYS OF BISON ABUNDANCE. Union Cuus, Fifth Avenue and 5l1st Street. New York, January 25, 1914. To THE SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAN BrIson Socrery. Dear Sir: In compliance with your written request that I give the Society the benefit of my experience and knowledge of the buffaloes, the country in which they roamed, their rapid destruction, and their almost extinction in the United States, I beg to give a short report on the American Bison, in whose preservation we are so keenly interested. Cortez, in his early reports of his journeyings and campaigns in North America, speaks of seeing buffaloes in the early part of the 16th century in Mexico; and C oronado in 1540 in his march through what is now Oklahoma Territory saw large herds, and in the early years of the 17th century numbers of buffaloes were found in what is now the District of Columbia and the capital of the United States. In 1860 buffaloes were reported in Ohio and Illinois, and in 1730 they were roaming in Virginia and the Carolinas. In 1867-68-69-70 I served on the staff of General Sheridan. who commanded the military division of the Southwest, which included the States of Louisiana, Texas, Indian Territory, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Colorado, and Missouri. In these years the buffalo grazed from the State of Texas on the South to the British possessions on the North, where they found plenty of water and grass. Few people are aware of the number of buffaloes in the United States in 1865. It was’estimated that there were over three millions. During our Civil War very little powder or lead reached the Indians and their only way of killing buffaloes was with bow and arrows, consequently they increased very rapidly. During the Indian campaigns of 1867, 1868 and 1869 against the Sioux, Cheyennes, Kiowas, Arapahoes, Comanches, ete., as adjutant-general of these expeditions under General Sheridan, with Custer, I had many opportunities of seeing these immense herds, both quietly grazing, or on the move. The only way I can describe it is by saying they covered the whole country in detached herds, numbering from 5,000 to 20,000, as far as the eye could reach, with only clear spaces here and there. Often in skirmishing with the Indians these herds, numbering thousands upon thousands, would thunder by with a noise and roar and dust, impossible to describe, rendering our position very dan- gerous, often compelling the halting of our pack trains and horses. Late one afternoon General Sheridan halted the command on the top of the “divide” between the Cimmeron and Lower Canadian Rivers. After dismounting, the General asked the officers of the 53 staff, which temporarily included also General Custer and Scout Bill Cody, “Buffalo Bill,’ and eight other officers, “How many buffaloes have you seen to-day?” We had been marching since daylight and it was then four o'clock in the afternoon, during most of the day passing immense herds of these mighty animals, General Sheridan said to Forsyth, one of his aides—“Take a pencil and note- book, put down your estimate first, and then put down the number of each one of the eleven present.” The aggregate was 243,000! One of the most interesting incidents connected with the buf- faloes, their way of trying to protect the calves from the attack of wolves, came under my eye near the Antelope Hills in the Indian Territory in the early spring of 1868. I saw at a distance from the top of a divide a very large herd feeding quietly, of a sudden there was great agitation, then ‘I saw many wolves on three sides of the herd moving quickly towards a lot of cows with young calves. At once the cows started by pushing the calves, aided by the bulls, toward the center of the herds. The cows then “formed a circle with the calves inside and the young bulls forming another circle outside of the cows, and the old and large bulls still making another circle outside on their flanks, thus protecting the calves from the wolves. In the movement of troops on the Kansas Pacific R. R. in 1868, between Fort Leavenworth and Fort Hays, I have often known of, and often been in the train, when the buffalos were so numerous that the train was compelled to stop for over half an hour at time to let them cross the tracks. I have seen hundreds caught in quicksands on the Platte River, and also along the banks and shoals of the Red, Arkansas and Canadian Rivers. Alas, to-day there is not a single buffalo between Texas and Canada, save in the Yellowstone Park, in Oklahoma, Montana and North Dakota, where reservations have been established, thanks to our Bison Society. The real causes of the almost extermination of the buffaloes, out- side the killing by the Indians, was not only by the demands of com merce in skins, heads and horns, ete., but by so-called “Sportsmen’ (God forgive me for applying such a term to these wanton butchers), who slaughtered these animals for their tongues alone, and also would shoot them down and leave the great beast to die, a food for wolves and other animals. Thousands upon thousands were killed to supply meat for the railroad workingmen employed in building the Kansas Pacific, Union and Northern Pacific, Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroads. The Government of the United States, with its shortsighted- ness in the past in failing to protect the oreat game of our country, is really responsible for the slaughter of the buffaloes and other large game. A few ignorant and interested members of Congress prevented the passing of bills to protect them. Even attempts to get control of the Yellowstone Park in 1882 and 1883, were only frustrated by the strong protests made by me, 54 when Governor of Montana, showing the great destruction of game by pot hunters and others in the Yellowstone Park and adjacent country. My report was read in the U. S. Senate, by Senator Vest, of Missouri, and by an overwhelming vote the Park, its game and natural curiosities were saved to the people, though during that winter when the matter was before the Senate, some 4,000 elk and thousands of buffaloes and other game were slaughtered in the Park. In 1883, I wrote to the Governors of Idaho, Utah, Dakota and Wyoming asking them to meet me at Helena for the purpose of talking over and taking steps for the preservation of the large game of the Northwest. This meeting resulted in our agreeing to send a special message to our respective legislatures asking for the passage of such stringent laws as would protect the large game and punish all offenders. This was done, resulting in the arrest of many pot hunters and so-called “sportsmen.” It was due to this concert of action that any large game was left in the Northwest. Yours truly, JOHN SCHUYLER CROSBY. LATEST NEWS FROM THE WIND CAVE HERD WinpD Cave NATIONAL PARK, Hor Sprines, Sourd Dakota, May 30, 1914. The American Bison Society, Groton, Mass., Wn. P. WuHarton, Secretary. My Dear Sir: In response to your inquiry as to the welfare of the bison, which were donated to the Government by your Society for this Reserve, and which were brought here last Novem- ber, I would state that the winter was very much in their favor, there has been no loss and they are in the best of health. It was a new experience to them to be at liberty in an enclosure of this size and to experience some natural grazing, but they ac- cepted the new conditions like “old timers” and rarely a day passed but what they indulged in a good stampede. There are three little calves in the herd, up to the present time, which I believe will be the extent of the increase for this year. We have the making of a very good Reserve and the people of this section are taking a great deal of ‘interest in the project. The fence is now under construction and it will not be long before the animals can be turned into an enclosure of several thousand acres. They are now sniffing the pine odors from the hills to the west and showing impatience to roam the prospect. Respectfully yours, FRIED M. DILLE, Supervising Warden. 56 roy . > & CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN BISON SOCIETY ARTICLE I—NAME The name of this organization shall be The American Bison Society. ARTICLE II.—OBJECTS The objects of this Society shall be the permanent preservation and increase of the American Bison. ARTICLE III.—MEMBERSHIP Section 1—The membership of this Society shall consist of Associate Members, Members, Life Members, Patrons, and Honorary Members. Section 2.—Any person in sympathy with the objects of this Society may become an Associate Member by paying the prescribed dues. Any person in sympathy with the objects of this Society may become a Patron, Life Member, or Member upon election by the Executive Com- mittee and payment of the prescribed fees or dues. Section 3.—The dues of an Associate Member shall be one dollar, payable annually. The dues of a Member shall be five dollars, payable annually. The fee of a Life Member shall be one hundred dollars. The fee of a Patron shall be one thousand dollars. Section 4—A Member may be expelled from the Society upon the written recommendation of any officer, by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee present at any meeting, provided notice of such proposed action, with reasons therefor, be sent to the member and to the Executive Committee at least one week before such meeting. ARTICLE IV.—GOVERNMENT. Section 1.—The governing body of this Society shall consist of a Board of Managers of twenty-Seven persons, divided into three groups of nine each. The tenure of office of the Managers shall be three years, but only nine Managers’ terms can expire by limitation in any one year. Therefore, at each annual meeting of this Society, nine new members shall be elected by ballot of a majority of the members present, due notice having been given in advance to all members. Section 2.—The Board of Managers shall elect each year at its annual meeting, from its own members, by ballot and a majority vote, a Presi- dent, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer, and five persons to form, with the President and Secretary, the Executive Committee of the Society. Honorary officers, each to serve a term of one year, may be elected at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Section 3.—Vacancies occurring in the Board of Managers and Exec- utive Committee may be filled by the Executive Committee to complete the year in which they occur. Section 4.—At the annual meeting a Nominating Committee, consist- ing of three members, shall be appointed by the presiding officer; their duties shall be to present a list of candidates to fill vacancies on the Board of Managers. ARTICLE V.—DUTIES OF OFFICERS. Section 1—The duties of the officers shall be such as pertain to their respective offices in similar societies. The President shall be ex-officio chairman of the Board of Managers and of the Executive Committee. 5 57 Section 2.—The Vice-Presidents shall perform the duties of the Presi- dent, in his absence, in the order of seniority of office. Section 3.—The Secretary shall record the proceedings of the Society, of its Board of Managers, and of its Executive Committee, in books to be kept for the purpose; shall have charge of all records belonging to the Society, and of its publications; shall conduct the correspondence of the Society and keep a record thereof; shall inform members, Managers, and officers of their election; and shall give notice of all meetings, and inform the Managers and officers of all matters requiring their action. - Section 4.—The Treasurer shall collect all bills and assessments due the Society; shall pay from the funds of the Society all bills duly ap- proved by the President, or by three members of the Executive Com- mittee; shall send to the Secretary once a month the names and addresses of all new members. He shall also furnish, at the request of the Execu- tive Committee, a statement of the financial condition of the Society. ARTICLE VI.—MEETINGS. Section 1.—There shall be an annual meeting of the Society, for the election of Managers and other general purposes, on the second Thursday of January. Section 2.—Special meetings may be called upon seven days’ notice by the President, or on a written application signed by three members of the Board of Managers, stating the object of said meeting. Section 3—The annual meeting of the Board of Managers shall be held immediately after the annual meeting of the members of the Society, and other meetings may be held at such times as the President or Execu- tive Committee may deem desirable. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Section 4.—Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at such times and places as may be appointed by the President, or, in his absence, by the Secretary, and three days’ notice of each meeting shall be given. Three members constitute a quorum. Section 5.—The order of business shall be as follows:— Reading records of previous meeting. Reports of Committees. Reading Communications. Unfinished business. New business. Cushing’s Manual shall be the authority for the decision of disputed questions of order and debate. ARTICLE VII.—AMENDMENTS. Amendments or alterations of the Constitution may be made by a two- thirds vote of a meeting of the Board of Managers at any meeting, pro- vided written notice of the proposed change shall have been sent by mail to every member of the Board of Managers not less than seven days pre- vious to said meeting. 58 it i ee i MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN BISON SOCIETY HONORARY -MEMBERS a RS SHIN BST ELA RODD) ses oc Rerecir ds bss Pos caw ake Meriden, N. H. UGE ADA ve DR IAW MIT ro. ge Pe. fe ch ay Es aw oes New York City “JOINTS SUSE) OSE 7 Sea age A ge Las Vegas, N. M. PATRONS BiuE Mountain Forest ASSOCIATION............. New York City CONRAD AC sTAGs ie (BISts)y. Hide. aks soe ween Medes Kalispell, Mont. DOMINIO LO ENING SS 2. crate ee yore hee aime Salt Lake City, Utah BOL TOM ON ARI ae vse, Sweces otlsie Ope hed am os St. Paul, Minn. GOGD NIGUEL, CRUARTENS sia (.)\-2", arc oabs ote ood alos Le hoemina 2 Goodnight, Tex. PPETEDEP AMES oso fd Ph aS oe hoe koe Fort Pierre, So. Dakota STEILDE SLC TE WAU EI epee 2 ate Re CPE a a New York City LIFE MEMBERS _SISTID IETS Cis [J gg el ni ee New York City PAPE OATES ul eure) ELA) 1.3) 8S) cece cs aan oon ean, ees ee New York City 1 AUTIECES Sh UDP a abner aed lone Iles rece ge Boston, Mass. EPINE SAVY AEE Os. ahciene nate eae sake clean ace Boston, Mass. LILIES, <2 B18 San ere ie ins Ze CoN te! Se New York City MS oe VERS PANY Miele ye cbt tirs Racks sca ee) vane Sd de New York City STENT ht) be gl Dia CON Meee ine een re Ca epee te ee ag RS Boston, Mass. HRONSMADE, Oreamons: OY MAN?.3.2 . secs sic ce see ee Brooklyn, N. Y. 1a PERO TPC Re EAE Oo. ee i Ae er en = Boston, Mass. PP UCES VTS IMs ns card idla as ath aid Ong ge eae < Fe New York City AOPAURGHIG Lee U ANE M Wirirc aos a woe oes hie hea es Philadelphia, Pa. WVAWACON, MORAG? OTUART 295.05. 2)... clare J evs das oc ances New York City | DIES ITD itl Oe ae aie er irate acre a a a New York City Daren WWM oc sg ae oy orn dk aoe SSD We laday Seaoue oe New York City Pibreapraiien el ANRONG) Helier a ewtnc eee cia. coe eat ete ee Worcester, Mass. 1 TUCRSISI8, Tn EA ae eg Pn a aeons Pane In New York City PTs Weer C0) 2 2, 1 yo Youewas ents Sates gas boc heh oes ae New York City PATIOS GUY MN 3 easicizs.a sets ate. e te Sus Tinie S ote aul New York City NO SAEED NAR ORG MG oD edn Srila: tye noe Sedona a ictal Se es Lawrence, Kans. eri HRINNIOTS! Gy ocr n'y teas ig Boao ated Sy ols ec Sha, sae ene St. Louis, Mo. AON: BEVOWARD'...< © on elas ale ais nt 6 Te re Nee Ir es Wolf, Wyo. Enron, DR DANTE GIRAUD «ot. cate tere ates we New York City EOD SRE: MOR PON ahs 6-2 5 eg ssid eee ae awe Missoula, Mont. EMERSON SN ACIEDACN DT HIE: VWI oy coys- 2 iteiie cbenreis to avcvenel - uss awetecers Boston, Mass. 1 PS OATE GY Oe ole RR) RES el eRe ar NN Teche eee Boston, Mass. RTS! WYSE NEP EDRO Praha ta 2) 52 ses Secctaiess wears ate ose Everett, Mass. ner Eee Oe? HAG 2 sce ogten's = orca a qenove Cen Suieoe erareie ® Worcester, Mass. PB Ke CEPMNN. 9 wrote A Ser etic hae ne © PaaS Soe alee Newark, O. ISH BBG Ale ARE. pf rafovais os soho ie ws oot Bea eee te ae Milton, Mass. GREG a} HON MUR IPAS a3 ers gs eecetane ae Oe Siok eee aie ios Boston, Mass. FELESHODN EI NgeDy EI aoc sn archa a sot gas suave sol tate ctafeneks ¢ s/s 5 = Davenport, Iowa Gost sled Beha] 5 Man 110) eee ea ea ea nee ote are Worcester, Mass. EER TE UO Nim WUARIODN Le S2°5 css, cccvdceeart, aes efssetacche cess New York City Se TURNED In ies WV ATEIINESR, opts 2 Shey ow ca elc ecw bo Oe cate & vai New York City GuUBG oN WLS EVLA, WO ork cise ec Fic e ola eh tiere sue mrs Philadelphia, Pa. Seinen eisai ten etn en ota Se Lai ecineree ss Santa Barbara, Cal. RpEUAeny D SUMICATRESIONY 2) 2, lot. fnteeycbaie\a aces Balen Rico Saw nes New York City CPR TACT) Can OE Ae a i ees ie re eee ena Buffalo, N. Y. DAC TEE WRENS BUEiats 2 chet ot ess sibiere Kiet. o.nfere Suet Boston, Mass. FTARBISON« WVACA Ce rc eels omenrn Clee eee ee nC eee Pittsburg, Pa. HARNISHEHGER, 2 PEUREEP 2. 0 ont meek CoA New York City EFARRING TON?» el OHUN GW Mote ks sire scone cpae eels yens Worcester, Mass. SEANWASE Ye AEH Spake mia cate ince mace Siok a te eee eee a Buffalo, N. Y. SETGSIN' Wats tel alee 5 ectsrereraks usaeecaove Rie eoshal Rk aoe ee ae eae Lincoln, N. H. FUSE N SHEVA Wiper) OFLND ooo BARS Aten eats ede ene ees ee Providence, R. I. ERIN SELACWS ES ACN DEB Wess geeeatiee eae stave ies Serene oe net eter Providence, R. I. ELEPBUBN) (AG BARTON 7.5.29. menses are Gracy oneness New York City ELE RS CUES CIBINUEINISE: one nun. sense oscaey eatene ee eee ore New York City EL OT IO TIEN: BE Lie tits tac oye cs Brae: cee eae ge ea ee Quebec, Canada Hoopnr, PROP TE RANIGUING Waco tts mens te, oe eee Brooklyn, N. Y. IFO RENTS yal MOAR) ee Stes anc, aaa eee ane eee ante Bryn Mawr, Pa. ELOUGERRO Ni CTV MEIN MD so cee ea rise th altar ee pers eae Boston, Mass. ELUNFIN A NOBERIY SWisctanerekenn shun ubtickcy tora s uate a eee ey eee Chicago, Ill. ELUTCEEENS ON, ACTA RIEBS Li c.one ee.pere ater eaten ene: Chicago, Ill. ELAR CEUDNISOIN to) OUND Ey se a seo eer hier ee eer Georgetown, N. J. IEE NAIR 6) OUND iis wk eer nap socod ee ONS eee rete Coe Oe Bath, Me. ii SiemAuEas Mine Seoda oll Vistas he ea shale! chee auth ponaca se aa Rent eeteee Chicago, Ill. EANET SONG ¢ CEPAURIL VIS YAU ors ash ote sie istane sleet ec ree War ters New York City TORDONG Ee ROR. DAVID SPARE 6 cies cic onedis sc eteeeer San Francisco, Cal. [Konia SER See SUSAN’ IS GAUKE) 71: ictus aes cee ree Belmont, Mass. IGRIESHY) Ae \WEARREIN oot: 206 Sro(tae cPevene cate te Se ee Philadelphia, Pa. GERY DIVE, AE ENE OD ORE Ee ss gegen viz eat cee gehen neereren a eee New York City KNNED Ye ADR Ty EUARR IS weog 60 ee oe Grane aeteea cee Roxbury, Mass. HIRSBEN IGS WALISMSRAGM Is oer seer sone eps: ae Spelaee Bhenstsae aabie EIEN Chicago, Il. RGN Niae EMIORIRIG esc Sota ae Pau soto iets ots eee ee New York City FEUD TRORE AW OMPER sf ccs WAINWRIGHT (oF caw. cs gos p= d's ose gles see es New York City LE UNE SS GS 6 ae aa pee hii eee RL a Hamilton, Mont. PPR PPE BRM UY, crs08 9 otoa ie 2 caste ana ates an eserceciatete, Deas te Boston, Mass. Ere MN se Rss ace ve dudes 2 @ shee tappuateeae New Orleans, La. ARCERA SV AVS SELO MAG (5 1-4.5 15 wares en's ea, a Paes New Bedford, Mass. Pog eno UMS E)'s Sher oats wxcta os She oa, e iamNehe Sm orehas New York City HEMireeer MMA MU Seh Nts cai olora ct avers iat) e erates «lovalatei ae Pittsburg, Pa. ie oni. Ming, TiS NOUISI.. <5 s.5c. a6 Sco wise gam a eis 'n re New York City HE lisaipysatain RV OAUIIEISR tel) a0 fain a soe wreyenaie is Mata ceheja mn etete= 30 New York City LE TUS Soe 8 D0 Be gl oe Se et Hyde Park, Mass. Pine, OR. LOW ARD “KCENINED oc. 2 sire ore crew saanlio’s one Philadelphia, Pa. SENmUa Bie PE ELONANS SWF acl Seah Ss esas A Stats com, cias oye = Philadelphia, Pa. EN a at SPN Seca es Sei conic ates, ae oe 8 oncp eS ence ewes St. Louis, Mo. TE GDA iib Si, BOIS al On ale eee age CECA id Para Newton, Mass. Eoin she OUD WORE... 25 oF. syee seo are See easel ne ee Boston, Mass. Gay NepeN HDRIIR: Hi ona, o.oo Sancra wise ¥ve tho etnies 95> Lexington, Mass. TE OUTST 9 ol oad Re ee eS Be en oe Whitefish, Mont. AAC VR eV OPEN 3. co ke ck whe + ace ned ace Sele nee ale Yonkers, (NY. Pe Dpegpererte WP AMIN OHS yaa Seiden aicvac = Sais ae oo epee, wan oi Hadley, Mass. Eberle bales EPA We Boe 2 aes Gees Soayeie' Sh cieye a eanlae ws New York City 1) Gin, 2a CATE CT Sas ae Se ie eo che oe eee New York City WEaa REPRE TS Ste Bho ac Site selalaie Winks e aio 6 av 0s Evanston, II. HGIMmEKOPER, -WRANCGES7LG Stas. seem ane acce ee Meadville, Pa. FL ULDE ROPERS Coe Sos cetoc ech Sv os Suni cco eae eee aed ene meee eae Boston, Mass. SRT Cis COALS h Ly acai cc chats Racer eye eee Re ae ee ee Worcester, Mass. CERIO NBs eL) ONCATID IS. 2 eae esac aoe erences aaeeemene Brockton, Mass. RICHARDSON,- MRS. J. ‘ChIRFORD Y= 0 oe1 sme kee eee New York City FN CEDMON IDA ERI SP 25 4.5 Nolecahons Weeds eredatee sick s ea rege Brockton, Mass. IRR ORUAR IS) ePARIVIS =< © cas a See kos CNet eee eerie nae Denver, Col. REC VE MC RATO MD ein. Suis tees eka Sou oleces Merete Philadelphia, Pa. ROBBER TG! HHIRAN CEG: AAG ooks seoin'o Sica s ise eae Baba, Pa. LRKOKeaO Sr N D1 00D) bid Gal ee Ma HUME ede Sn Soe y S.tiee é Boston, Mass. ROPE Si: METSG GTZ: ABH TED 21.7. 9..o etehe ick oreleweut bere Gach ue un caee Salem, Mass. RUG CG MELAR OLDS Gare 52%. aie od er clelcteictos anon ia ee eee Hanover, N. H. RUSSIA AAT eA ARON vo se cerseeon sc ale ssa ae oe Boston, Mass. RUS shew VERS? SMEAR, Ay 2205 cos.) coe See acm eyes eee Brockton, Mass. RUN oR DROS MRS. surest nikon se Rie cote eee Lawrence, Mass. SAMHORD sss Maso a ANe weocerake ate te sles ose Bey: Melrose, Mass. SAUTE OIN|GAINAU Toes tr Ucem Mle ste rae so: -anse Btoreste es neces ato te em One Boston, Mass. SAUNDERS CiEDAUIERS MG: i.,.c. sacsval a seeenee eae Oe eneneee Boston, Mass. SAIS 1 E20 ea St. Louis, Mo. Brepemro eit eWeek ds ht /.y «hee hase coe sy ales Pittsburg, Pa. RSL re MRAD EOIN cs e351 5, claceue Sal saat waglen eee Harrison, Idaho SCHUYLER, Rev. Livineston Rowek.............. Scarsdale, N. Y. pare anne Ne tshg''s'o 3's w Se grandis 2,0 Soo Gamat ery: Pittsburg, Pa. Pepe RUTOBUATRII SG fr cr ose es wa cs, Sis ow Sen Bin 2k Ok ee Boston, Mass. Spam Mews WEMTTUY. Be sss os els cs hk Sno cen be Brookline, Mass. CULTS 2G Eee ee re Aenean New York City DUMADNI SEN ORGE Eo oi5 65 sleds. s-clel Se wi derdincee North Andover, Mass. Ss Diy SS) es ee 2 eee Pa ee Boston, Mass. SUMS MIEN WV ghettos oc sis Sy « 6. hela eo aee eee Providence, R. I. Sho LTH 272709 Et 15.0 1012 a a ee ae ee St. Louis, Mo. SMMEBED WOATATER GHORGES. <5 «<2 -s cece meet oe cbs Philadelphia, Pa. Suro RAR W NG ORD. 23. 2. a4. «:< scc ceed e etccole sons tee Boston, Mass. SPU MOEENG WSS. oo Sere od vacates, RB oth tule f ayekein aed Arlington, Mass. Pacmmetbniites WES. VOEENS Bo. 55). aruit% cue ac oe poke late Arlington, Mass. Rey aes an [rete EIS Sas Gets ci porn) Sooke bk Saha die SEN ASE Worcester, Mass. SSTETRACE IO aPC Pe a ee Wellesley Hills, Mass. SS BIE PE MOEN OEY A), cc stn seh cook nee & ook ce eee Wall Lake, Ia. pOMSE MMe AEC ELAS EN. 2 bea. Shs Abts ck aie 2 ce ates hae he a ee Brookline, Mass. URANIUM ES tet. n clae. Sis a code, atte i peccae we te cine eke eens ewer Salem, Mass. Wa GARS AOELN siciGy sie. Satetaic cic syenss ke wie eee Skee eee Kamloops, B. C. ViGns;: BLAINE Oasis Pia arece oe ose s Beremebeaies Newport, N. H. WESTIN WRG IMERG. SEURIAINICHS cy sees kts sear eeeeene eee Milton, Mass. WEA Se EID WARD sc 75.6 duaierda acetone. cee ah Den oes Se St. Louis, Mo. WAGPOLE EiuMANE SOCIBBY c..1.c-9.2!s. its «eee cnet Walpoles NG ike Wines i, ED WENT ISO 5, gc. c les crates Se bay eee ene Wellington, O. Wernics:s ANDREW “GREY <..% acces ts ak ie lot ie et eae Boston, Mass. WEEE: TERE Vios GB Olan B aye te rere'a ae en cucvash oan ean ieee Santa Barbara, Cal. AW AEUTSAUKGRRE 8 Se WW. Se Stare tote ren aot dats fe ek aah Area Philadelphia, Pa. Warr Mins CAROLINE Eyes. ccns -xcsom te eee ane Philadelphia, Pa. VV REIAT ES: SIRT OIUARI) e) <8 votes cscs LOS Smite eteen OR Baltimore, Md. Warsaerng may 7 Vie Mb She aes i bint es anon eee Westford, Mass. WrITTEMORE, obs CEURCEMIINS iogins cers ee ane oes St. Louis, Mo. WiEtERTE MORE, nJlOSHPE iP eley, be.pn sushi cle tds Bence igen Galesburg, N. D. WAI IKAHS TE RIAINIC I 7.6 47s etal ion elo a tosee meso mytomees Kast Orange, N. J. AV 68) US) chal Oh Wane ee Pen ee RN eae ote StU Rha Glen Cove, L. I., N. Y. WHO CRS JS COMM ct setre ols wegen cate pete Pittsburg, Pa. AWALNSOR = WADE LALNEY ID 5522 Osco. .t oracles voteraja ae iaet aces Philadelphia, Pa. VERE SOINC AU AUN DEES tact o tretare, eae yuratn ate Ripe Roe nO S Philadelphia, Pa. Win RRO TEEAM:> d'OSHPEH (van cat hues ekoiern Sere ae eee Chicago, Ill. WitiNiGee GC rrAmI RG eH. CRs adits sutton ney sence pig New Bedford, Mass. IWEISByOEEN C7, Wt tins nr ose aston recaaees Bears Washington, D. C. WO 6 OnuIO OM TV IER sitg sche. Je eee cbeace Maat rate eros Readville, Mass. WOOT a aeAS Ses echt isk ral Sie ars Se Raa RRR eect ace sane Athol, Mass. WOODS, LAWRENCE! CRANE: UR a.6scictus onan te feancal tereas Sewickley, Pa. MO ODIVARD? ROR YC: aM cr. aston Sere mene eee St. Louis, Mo. WAR TCE RO eN ers | 2.5.5 ic crenata, BeNOR aaa eR ar en se ae Newark, O IWRERTP NCE Yel OA GIP AUR cy. 2 32°55 075 i seer tmecnacueeatee ta Can tt Bronxville, N. Y. WAMU TEEIRS fel gh jaa aac, bac atece. Gs scame tec Rene eh ramet e ono Nappanee, Ind. ZAGER VERS Orla as fae: fies on aye aoe ina eae tte PRET RG Washington, D. C. -l bo wi 8 01297 8797