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Issued December 15, 1906

UES: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

KEP Oka

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ACTING CHIEF OF THE BUREAU
OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY

FOR

IEP ONGY:

BY

HENRY W. HENSHAW,

ACTING CHIEF.

[FRom ANNUAL REPORTS, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. |

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1906.

Work of the year

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Recommendations
2

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY.

U. 8S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
BuREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY,
Washington, D. C., August 1, 1906.
Str: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the work of
the Biological Survey for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1906, with
outline of work for 1907, and recommendations for 1908.
Respectfully,
Henry W. HeEnsHaw,
Acting Chief.
Hon. James Witson, Secretary.

WORK OF THE YEAR.

The work of the Biological Survey is prosecuted along the lines laid
down by Congress, as follows: (1) Investigations relating to the geo-
graphic distribution of animals and plants, including biological sur-
veys and the determination of the life and crop belts; (2) investigations
of the economic relations of birds and mammals to agriculture; (8)
supervision of matters relating to game preservation and protection
and the importation of foreign birds and animals.

The work of the Biological Survey began July 1, 1885. Its first
investigations were in the field of economic ornithology, and were
undertaken as a branch of the Division of Entomology. The follow-
ing year the Survey was established as the Division of Economic Orni-
thology and Mammalogy. After twenty years’ service as a Division,
on July 1, 1905, by act of Congress, the Biological Survey was made
a bureau. While this change of status brought no radical change in
the character of the work of the Survey, it made possible a more effi-
cient organization. This was effected under three heads:

(1) Geographic Distribution, in charge of Vernon Bailey. The
office of Geographic Distribution has charge of field and office work
relating to the collection, preparation, and elaboration of specimens
and information illustrating the status and geographic distribution of
North American animals and plants. It is engaged also in mapping
the ranges of mammals, birds, reptiles, and plants, and the prepara-
tion of reports thereon. (2) Economic ornithology and mammalogy,
in charge of A. K. Fisher. The office of Economic Investigations has
charge of field and laboratory work relating to the food habits of
mammals and birds, and of the collection of seeds and insects and
other objects belonging thereto; also of the preparation of reports on
the economic relations and food habits of birds and mammals. (3)
Game preservation and protection, in charge of T. S. Palmer. The

¢ 3

4 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

office of Game Protection bas charge of matters relating to the preser-
vation, protection, and introduction of game and other animals, and
of matters coming under the jurisdiction of the Department by reason
of the Lacey Act.

The administrative assistant, H. W. Henshaw, has charge of the
correspondence, business, and business office of the Biological Survey,
including the photographic laboratory, and of all editorial and clerical
work. In the absence of the Chief, the administrative assistant is the
Acting Chief, and has general supervisory authority over all the work
of the Biological Survey.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.

LIFE ZONES AND CROP ZONES.

Early in the history of the Survey it was recognized that a close
relation existed between the natural live zones of the country and the
crop zones, and much time and attention has since been given to the
collection of data bearing upon the subject.

It is well known that the plants, birds, mammals, and reptiles of
different regions differ widely, and that the transition from one natural
geographic area to another is often abrupt. Naturally these changes,
whether abrupt or gradual, are accompanied by corresponding varia-
tions in the availability of the areas for different crops. Careful study
of these areas has demonstrated that they result from differences in
climatic conditions, and that the country can he divided into well-
marked life and crop zones in accordance therewith. Up to the pres-
-ent time maps have been published showing the life zones of North
America as a whole, of the United States, and of Texas and parts of
New Mexico and Arizona, and lists have been published of the crops
best adapted for cultivation in each zone. The detailed work neces-
sary for the preparation of zone maps of the several States is being
carried on as rapidly as funds permit, with the end in view that each
farmer wherever located shall have a practical guide to the fruits, for-
age crops, and general crops that can be most successfully grown on
his own ranch. ,

Scientitically valuable as such maps are, they are even more impor-
tant from an economic point of view, and those already published have
been widely utilized by agricultural experiment stations and for
general educational purposes. :

During the year work has been continued in California and adjoin-
ing areas and in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

CaLirorniA.—Field work in California, physiographically the most
diversified and complicated of the States, was continued during the
early part of the year by the Chief of Bureau and three assistants, and
will be continued during the coming season. A vast amount of mate-
rial on the distribution of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and woody
plants of the State has been already gathered and elaborated for the
final report. )

During previous years the Survey had done considerable work in
the arid desert region of southern California and Arizona. In view
of the extensive development by irrigation now in progress in this
region it was considered important to secure further data and to carry
the work southward over the adjoining desert region of Lower Cali-

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 5

fornia. For this purpose, in the spring of 1905, E. W. Nelson and
E: A. Goldman, field naturalists of the Survey, were sent to southern
California, and, after work in that region, continued south and made
a reconnaissance survey of the peninsula of Lower California.

Trexas.—A report on the life and crop zones, mammals, and reptiles
of Texas, by Vernon Bailey, illustrated by a zone map of the State
and numerous special maps, was published during the year. Full
notes on the habits and relations of various mammals to agriculture
in Texas, where such species as the coyote and prairie dog do enor-
mous damage to farmers and stock raisers, are a feature of this report.
Unfortunately the edition was so small that it was soon exhausted.
It is hoped that it will be possible to issue a second edition of sufficient
size to at least supply the demand from residents of the State.

A report on the birds of Texas, by H. C. Oberholser, will be com-
pleted as early as practicable. It will contain all av ailable information
on the relation of birds to agricultural interests, which are so impor-
tant in this great State, and will throw much light on the problems of
distribution.

New Mexico.—Field work in eastern New Mexico has been nearly
completed by Vernon Bailey, and in western New Mexico has been
carried on by Bailey, assisted by N. Hollister, and will be continued.
The life zones have been mapped for the Zui, San Mateo, Datil, and
Gallinas mountains, and intervening country. This completes the
detailed zone map for more than half of the Territory.

Cotorapo.—Field work in northern Colorado by Merritt Cary
resulted in a detailed zone map of a broad belt from Denver and
Boulder to the Grand and Yampa river valleys, over a complicated
area of high mountains and parks, steep slopes, and deej, fertile valleys.
From Colorado Mr. Cary made a trip into the Bad Lands of South
Dakota in continuation of work already begun in that State.

Auaska:—Field work in Alaska was. suspended during the year,
W. H. Osgood, in charge of this work, remaining in Washington in
order to prepare his accumulated notes for publication and do other
necessary office work.

Mackenzie Bastn.—E. A. Preble has practically completed the
reports on his extensive field work in the Mackenzie River region, and
is engaged in mapping the distribution of the mammals, birds, and
forest trees. The results are of the greatest impor tance in connection
with the work of the Survey in Alaska.

DISTRIBUTION OF DUCKS AND GEESE.—The principal work of Prof.
W. W. Cooke, temporary assistant in charge of bird migration, has
been in connection with a report on the ‘* Distribution and migration
of North American ducks, geese, and swans.” This has been com-
pleted and is now ready for publication. Another bulletin, on the
‘Distribution and migration of North American shore birds,” is about
half completed. This will serve as a basis for practical legislation in
relation to shore birds as the other will to ducks.

BiRD MIGRATION workK.—During the year the usual spring and fall
migration schedules have been sent ‘to and received from field observers
and filed for future use.

The work of copying, classifying, and making available the notes

6 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

contributed by migration observers has been continued and the work
is now up to date. While the number of migration observers has not
increased largely of late, there has been a noticeable and welcome
improvement in the character of the reports, and the Survey is rapidly
accumulating a series of accurate observations from single localities
which will serve as a basis for valuable conclusions regarding the
phenomena of migration in the United States.

IDENTIFICATION OF BIRDS AND MAMMALS.—In addition to the regu-
lar work of this branch of the Survey the task of identifying speci-
mens of birds and-mammals for colleges and museums thruout the
country has grown until it occupies much time. This work, however,
yields much valuable data on distribution, and thus is of distinct
advantage to the Survey.

ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY AND MAMMALOGY.

The increasing importance of all branches of agriculture in the
United States and the value of the products of the soil are being aug-
mented from year to year by leaps and bounds. Irrigation is making
available to the farmer and orchardist many thousand acres of land
hitherto of little or no value, and a systematic search is being con-
ducted in foreign countries for useful plants suitable for transplanting
to American soil, with the result that many valuable varieties have
already been introduced. Along with new fruit and forage plants new
insect pests are continually finding their way into the United States,
either by extension of range from contiguous regions or by means of
commerce. As large tracts of heretofore wild land are brought under
cultivation, the rodents that inhabit them become troublesome factors,
_ more particularly as the abundance of new food in the shape of culti-
vated cereals enables them to multiply much more rapidly than was
possible when dependent upon the more scanty larder of unassisted
nature. Asa result of the changed conditions, invasions of new insect
pests and inroads of noxious mammals are frequent and often
disastrous.

As the acreage under cultivation is extended and as the number of
-destructive insects increases, more and more importance attaches to
the study of the economic status of birds. A knowledge of the species
which can be relied upon to aid the farmer in his constant warfare
against pests is necessary as a basis for legislation for the protection
of the friendly species; and the discovery of preventive methods
against injurious species is equally essential.

The study of our common mammals also is important. Some of
these, formerly classed as noxious, are now found to be beneficial,
because their food has been ascertained to consist Jargely of insects.
Others, especially certain rodents, are known to be directly injurious,
and as larger crops are raised and the animals multiply with the added
food supply, the amount of damage is correspondingly great, hence
the necessity for the discovery and utilization of more effective and
cheaper methods of controlling these pests.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST MAMMALS.—Experiments with poi-
sons to destroy coyotes, rabbits, rats, and mice have been in progress
during the year and will be continued. Experiments with fences to
protect sheep from coyotes are now in progress, in cooperation with

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. Gl

flock owners in the West, and others have been planned, but have been
delayed for lack of funds. These, as well as experiments with fences
to protect nurseries and certain garden crops from rabbits, will be con-
tinued during the coming year.

In connection with the depredations of rabbits, experiments with a
view to the protection of newly planted trees have been undertaken
in cooperation with the Forest Service. An attempt is being made by
the Forest Service to reforest upward of a hundred thousand acres of
the San Gabriel Forest Reserve in southern California. This tract
abounds in small rabbits, and in places these rodents have destroyed as
high as 30 per cent of the seedlings, thus necessitating repeated and
costly replantings. As attempts to destroy the animals by ordinary
means have proved both expensive and inadequate, the Forest Service
has requested the cooperation of the Biological Survey. A method
has been devised of protecting the seedlings by cheap wire screens,
and these in connection with practical methods of poisoning will, it is
believed, go far to solve the problem.

WotveEs.—Gray wolves are still numerous in the West and in certain
sections are so abundant that they cause much loss to ranchmen and
farmers. Their large size and strength make them formidable enemies
of calves and colts and even of full-grown animals. The problem of
ridding the forest reserves and cattle range of gray wolves was taken
up by the Biological Survey at the request of and in cooperation with
the Forest Service. An experienced field naturalist was detailed for
the work and visited parts of Wyoming and New Mexico for the pur-
pose of determining the extent of the losses in live stock and game,
and of studying the methods most effective in destroying wolves. A
preliminary bulletin on the subject has been prepared by this assistant,
and is to be published by the Forest Service for distribution to forest
rangers, ranchmen, hunters, and trappers in the wolf-infested regions.

The protection of stock on the western ranges and of wild g ame in
the forest and game preserves from the depredations of wolves, * coy-
otes, panthers, and other carnivorous animals is of such growing
importance that it is intended, if funds are available, to employ assist-
ants acquainted with the habits of these animals to visit the several
reserves and contiguous stock ranges for the purpose of devising
methods for the destruction of the animals.

BACTERIAL DISEASES.—A comparatively new field of research in our
country is the study of diseases of a bacterial character, cultures of
which may be preserved indefinitely, for the purpose of destroying
noxious animals.

It has been known fora long time that many, if not all, of the small
rodents that live in colonies or exist in great numbers within limited
areas are subject from time to time to epidemic diseases which so
decimate their numbers as to practically eliminate them as disturb-
ing factors of agriculture till they have had time to again increase
abnormally.

It was not until recent years, during which the study of bacterial
diseases received great impetus, that the nature of such epidemics and
the possibility of ‘isolating, propagating, and utilizing the bacilli for
destroying noxious mammals has been appreciated. Such diseases
appear often to be limited to particular species or to a group of closely
related species, and hence are harmless to man and to domestic ani-

8 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

mals. Only, however, after careful experiments to determine their
nature and limitations can the employment of such diseases for the
purpose suggested be recommended. |

For several years studies of bacterial diseases have been carried on
in European countries for the purpose of discovering a virus which
could be used as an effective ally in warring on rodent pests. Several
such cultures have recently been placed on the market, and the Bio-
logical Survey is now engaged, in cooperation with the Bureau of
Animal Industry, in testing the efficacy of one of these—for which
much is claimed in Europe—for the purpose of employing it against
certain American mammals, especially rats and field mice.

Of vastly more importance, however, are investigations recently
begun by the Survey to ascertain the causes, nature, and effects of
local diseases known to occur at irregular periods among American
rabbits, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and other rodents.

Among the most troublesome of these animals are the ground
squirrels, several species of which are very destructive to crops in
many parts of the West, notably in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and
California. In eastern Washington two species (C7tellus columbianus
and C. townsendi) do enormous damage, the annual loss from these
rodents and the expenses of repressive methods in a single county
reaching upwards of half a million dollars.

The bacillus of a disease fatal to one of the above species was dis-
covered some years ago by Prof. C. V. Piper and Dr. 8. B. Nelson,
then connected with the experiment station at Pullman, Wash. Cul-
tures were made in the laboratory and experiments were conducted
with a view to the utilization of the virus in destroying the animals
in the wheat fields, but the work was not completed owing to lack of
the necessary funds. The work has been taken up by the Biological
Survey in cooperation with the State experiment station at Pullman,
and experiments are now being conducted with every promise of suc-
cessful results. It is hoped eventually to secure a virus which can be
utilized on a large scale to destroy the rodents which now levy so severe
a tax on the wheat crops of the Northwest.

Contidence is felt that the discovery and isolation of the bacilli
responsible for fatal diseases in the case of rabbits, prairie dogs, field
mice, and other noxious rodents is entirely practicable, and it is hoped
that funds for the necessary investigations will be made available.
By a comparatively small outlay it is thought that methods can be
devised to introduce fatal diseases among noxious mammals by means
of which their numbers can be so reduced as to render them practi-
cally harmless to farming interests. -

In connection with these investigations a circular has been prepared
and distributed to experiment stations and farmers and stockmen in
the western States for the purpose of eliciting information as to the
presence of epidemic diseases among rodent mammals. It is hoped
by this means to secure information in time to obtain cultures. for
preservation and future use.

COOPERATIVE WoRK.—For the prosecution of the laboratory work
necessary in connection with these experiments the cooperation of the
Bureau of Animal Industry has been obtained. Doctor Melvin has
kindly consented to aid the Survey to the utmost extent possible, and
at his instance Dr. Marion Dorset, in charge of the Biochemic Division,

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 9

has conducted laboratory experiments with a commercial virus im-
ported from France with a view to ascertaining its efficacy in destroy-
ing certain small American mammals. He has undertaken, also, to
preserve in the laboratory cultures of the bacillus, now being experi-
mented with on ground squirrels in Washington, so that its preservation
for immediate use is assured.

The importance of the work above outlined and the necessity for
extensive field experiments conducted over a term of vears renders
cooperation with State experiment stations particularly desirable.
Arrangements have been made with the Washington Experiment Sta-
tion, as stated above, to conduct cooperative experiments on ground
squirrels, or spermophiles, and it is hoped that as the work progresses
similar arrangements can be made with stations in other States where
the damage from various mammals presents a very serious problem.

EXAMINATION OF BIRD STOMACHS.—As in previous years, field and
laboratory work on the food habits of birds has been carried on simal-
taneously. <A large number of stomachs was received during the past
year from various parts of the United States, and the analysis and tab-
ulation of their contents far exceeded the capacity of the small force
engaged in the work. It is hoped that an increase of funds during
the coming year will enable additional assistants to be employed, when
the work will be pushed as vigorously as its importance demands.

Professor Beal, chief assistant in this branch of the work, spent sev-
eral months of the present year, and will occupy a considerable part of
the coming season, in studying the food habits of birds in the fruit
districts of California and Oregon with a view to discovering means of
altogether preventing or gre eatly restricting the damage to the olive,
grape, cherry, and other fruit crops of these States. “A preliminary
report upon the damage by birds in the garden and orchards of Cali-
fornia by Professor Beal, with suggestions for remedial measures, has
been completed and will be published during the coming year.

GrESE.—From time immemorial California has been a favorite resort
for waterfowl, and many thousands of geese of several species annu-
ally winter within the State. As the grassy plains, where they for-
merly fed, were converted into wheat fields the birds transferred their
attention from the succulent grasses to the more nutritious cereals.
So destructive are the geese in certain sections that the problem of
protecting the grain from their ravages is a serious one and necessitates
large outlay.

The simplest and most direct method of protection is the destruction
of the geese by means of the rifleand shotgun. This plan requires
the services of several men on each ranch, and is not only expensive,
but objectionable, in so far as it necessitates the slaughter of valuable |
food birds with practically no return other than the protection of
grain. Wild fowl are a valuable asset, both as an article of food and
as a source of revenue from sportsmen; hence they should be pro-
tected when their protection is not incompatible with more important
interests.

The preservation of geese in California is the more important, as
this State is one of the birds’ last strongholds. In the Eastern States
geese are becoming fewer and fewer each year, and their practical
extinction there can not be far distant.

10 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

During the present year Doctor Fisher visited California in connec-
tion with this problem, and will continue investigation during the
present season with a view to the discovery of methods of protecting
the grain fields without unnecessary destruction of the geese.

COTTON-BOLL WEEVIL.—Investigations of the relations of birds to
the cotton-boll weevil was continued during the past year. Field work
in connection with the problem was conducted in Texas during the
greater part of 1905, and about 2,000 birds’ stomachs were examined
for the purpose of ascertaining what species are most serviceable in
destroying this pest. One hundred and eight individuals of 12 species
were found to have eaten the weevil. Of these, orioles proved to be
the greatest destroyers of the pest, as many as 41 weevils having been
found in the stomach of a single oriole. The nighthawk also was dis-
covered to be an enemy of the weevil, and further investigations will
probably prove that during certain times of year these birds perform
extremely valuable service in destroying the pest, and hence should
be carefully protected. The list of birds ascertained to feed on the.
weevil now numbers 28. A bulletin in the nature of a report of
progress on this work, by A. H. Howell, has just been issued.

NortH AMERICAN EAGLES.—A report upon the North American
eagles and their economic relations has been completed by H. C. Ober-
holser and will shortly be published. In it the food habits of these
birds are given in detail, and their economic status is fully discust
with a view to determining the extent of protection, if any, that should
be afforded them. They are found to be beneficial in some regions
and their protection there is recommended. In other regions they are
found to be injurious and protection may safely be withheld.

Foop oF WILD pucKSs.—The food of wild ducks in its relation to
their migration and the establishment of a proper open season con-
tinues a subject of investigation. Difficulty is experienced in obtain-
ing a sufficient number of stomachs of these birds, especially from
unrepresented territory, for definite determination of their food, and
final results are likely to be delayed for this reason. So far 520
stomachs have been examined.

GrRosBEAKS.—The work on the economic relations of the grosbeaks
is being continued and is nearing completion. A bulletin on this
important group of birds—noted for feeding on the Colorado potato
beetle and on scale insects—will probably be issued during the present
year.

MEANS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS.—An important phase of bird increase
and protection is the planting of berry-bearing trees and shrubs about
the home and orchard. An increased food supply naturally tends to
an increased number of birds, and the planting about orchards and
gardens of berry-bearing shrubs—important as bird food, but worth-
less to man—makes directly for the protection of valuable fruit. There
are many such trees and shrubs, the fruit of which is preferred by our
native birds to the larger cultivated kinds which derive added value
from their ornamental character. This subject is receiving constant
attention and a bulletin will be forthcoming at an early day.

During the year 5,638 bird stomachs were received and 2,236 were
examined and their contents tabulated.

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. uke he

GAME PROTECTION.

» Acting under the provisions of law requiring the Secretary to col-
lect and publish useful information in regard to game birds and to
adopt such measures as may be necessary to carry out the provisions
of the Lacey Act, the office of Game Protection endeavors to keep in
touch with all efforts to protect or propagate game in the United
States and to a certain extent in other countries. To this end con-
stant communication is maintained with game officials, State and private
organizations, directors of zoological parks, and private individuals
in this country and abroad. Aid is given to measures for the preser-
vation of game, and attempts are made to promote cooperation between
the authorities of the several States and also between these and the
Department. Its efforts are divided between this educational work
and the purely administrative duties assigned it, such as (1) supervision
of the importation of foreign wild animals and birds; (2) cooperation

in the enforcement of provisions of the law governing interstate com-

merce in game and educational work, such as securing, filing, and
publisning information concerning important subjects in game-protec-
tion matters; (3) administration of the Federal bird reservations, and
(4) the protection of game in Alaska.

IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN MAMMALS AND BIRDS.

During the year 433 permits were issued for the entry of foreign
wild mammals and birds and 5 for the entry of eggs for propagation.
Under these permits 654 mammals, 274,914 canaries, 47,383 miscel-
laneous birds, and 5,564 pheasant eggs were brought into the United
States. In addition to these, there were imported 1,636 mammals,
2,696 canaries, and 11,040 miscellaneous birds, for which no permit was
necessary.“ The number of entries was larger than in any previous
year, in spite of the fact that no importations were received at San
Francisco subsequent to April 18, 1906, the date of the earthquake.

Last year 390 permits were issued, under which were imported 178

mammals, 280,682 canaries, 27,957 miscellaneous birds, and 2,270 eggs.

The total number of species of birds represented in the year’s
importations was 344. <A few of these were game birds for stocking
covers, but by far the larger part consisted of birds for confinement
as pets, specimens for exhibition, and public zoological collections.

The law prohibiting the entry of certain birds and mammals likely
to prove serious pests is becoming more generally known, and
during the year no noxious species were offered for entry, nor did
strict surveiliance disclose any attempt to introduce them surrep-
titiously. One of the few known specimens of mongoose in captivity
in the United States, that in the National Zoological Park, died on
June 2, 1906.

Pueasants.—The importation of pheasants for zoological parks and
private aviaries included 15 Cabot, 10 Temminck, and 2 horned trago-
pans, 8 monaul or impeyan pheasants, 2 black-backed kaleeges, 8
Siamese pheasants, 2 of the rare Hoki pheasants, and 1 rufous-tailed
pheasant (Genneus erythrophthalmus), apparently the first of this
species brought into the country.

_¢Exclusive of packages of mammals and birds, chiefly monkeys, parrots, and
pigeons, the exact number of individuals in which was not stated.

12 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

MISCELLANEOUS CAGE BIRDS AND MAMMALS.—-Among the interest-
ing importations for exhibitions and private collections were 11 beaver
from Canada; 2 echidnas from Australia; 2 black-footed penguin€
from Australia; 4+ painted quail from China; 2 green-billed toucans
from Guiana; 3 cayenne rails from Brazil; 2 Madagascar porphyrios
(gallinules); 1 ostrich from Somaliland; 4 keas, 4 weka rails, and 4
kiwis, flightless birds from New Zealand; 10 of the rare rosy-billed
ducks from South America; 11 African edelsingers; and 10 masked
waxbills from Africa. It is interesting to note an increase in the
importation of the attractive shama thrushes from India, of which
58 were imported during the year.

Eces.—The pocr success attending previous efforts to import the
eggs of game birds for hatching in this country seems to have exer-
cised a discouraging influence, and few such importations were made.
The most important was the entry of 5,500 pheasant eggs from Liver-
pool, England, about the Ist of June, 1906, by the game commis-
sioner of Illinois. Of this shipment only 8 eggs were broken in transit
and 10 more in unpacking. One thousand eight hundred and nine
egos were infertile, and further losses were incurred from various
other causes, but from the 5,500 eggs 3,000 live, healthy chicks were
secured. It remains to be seen what percentage of these attain
maturity. :

INspEcTION.—For several years much dissatisfaction has been
shown by importers with the payment of fees and with other
details of the inspection service. This feeling culminated in an appeal
to the Board of Appraisers at New York late in 1905. The appeal
was dismissed by the Board for lack of jurisdiction, but the Depart-
ment has since removed the cause of complaint by placing the inspec-
tion service upon a more satisfactory basis. On February 1, 1906, it
temporarily assumed the payment of fees and established an office in
New York City, from which an inspector may always be obtained at
short notice. With the service as now reorganized, the Department
has eleven inspectors, distributed as follows: Two each at Boston, New
York, San Francisco, and Baltimore, and one each at Philadelphia,
New Orleans, and Honolulu. In the absence of a specific appropria-
tion for inspection service it is possible to examine only the most
important shipments, the great majority of which are entered at New
York and Philadelphia. It is highly desirable that inspections should
be made at San Francisco, and to a limited extent at Boston and New
Orleans, and that more of the shipments at New York and Phila-
delphia should be examined. Under the fee system the entire service
could be put on a substantial basis at a cost not to exceed $1,000 per
annum. ‘The necessity for this check on the introduction of noxious
birds and animals is amply demonstrated by the experience of other
countries, where the mongoose and other injurious species have gained
a foothold. The incalculable injury done by these pests and the con-
stant danger of their intentional or unintentional importation into the
United States makes the expense of a rigid inspection service insig-
nificant in comparison with the losses which are sure to follow ill-
advised and unchecked importation. The introduction and spread of
the English sparrow shows the importance of taking every precaution
against the entry of other pests which might prove even more
destructive.

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 138

GAME BIRDS FOR PROPAGATION.—As the supply of native game
birds diminishes, the importation of birds from foreign countries for
stocking covers assumes greater importance. Among the importa-
tions of the year were 864 European partridges, chiefly for stocking
private preserves, and 81 capercailzie, 50 black game, 30 willow
grouse, and 15 hazel grouse for liberation on Grand Island, Mich.
The Massachusetts game commission imported 8 capercailzie and 12
black game for liberation, and 27 capercailzie and 11 black game were
brought in for various other destinations, chiefly private preserves.
Fourteen bamboo partridges were imported from China for the State
of Washington last July and from recent reports seem to be doing
well.

The depletion of quail covers by recent severe winters has resulted
in vigorous efforts in various parts of the country to secure birds
from sections where they still abound. The ‘quail of Mexico were
drawn on, and 148 bobwhite and 2,400 Mexican quail were imported
and shipped to northern points. ‘These proved unsatisfactory and
native quail were sought to meet the demand. Owing, however, to
the strict and comprehensive nonexport laws of most of the States,
the supply of available birds has been far below the demand, and
consequently the stock of quail in those States from which the birds
could be legally secured has been recklessly diminished; in other
States violations or evasions of the law have occurred. In Alabama
a few shippers furnished eastern and northern States with enormous
numbers of quail, which it is by no means certain will be able to with-
stand the climate of the regions where the birds were liberated. A
similar attempt to meet the demand was made in Texas, where, how-
ever, the State law was violated, and the quail trappers were arrested
and confined in jail.

Despite these strenuous efforts to supply the demand, wind despite
all attempts to meet the deficiency by proper and moderate transfer of
domestic birds, the demand continued greatly in excess of the supply.
If such depletion recurs, better methods will have to be devised to
restore the normal abundance. ‘To stock one part of the country at
the expense of another without careful safeguards to prevent depletion
of the covers drawn upon is mistaken policy. The supply should be
taken from a number of points to avoid too great a drain.on limited
localities, and all trapping and export of birds for propagation should
be under State control and not left to unchecked individual enterprise.

Before the demand for quail can be satisfied, means must be devised
whereby the birds can be propagated profitably on a commercial scale.
It is estimated that during the past year Alabama furnished about
100,000 quail, and the West and Southwest 50,000 more. » Prices ranged
from $4 to $5 per dozen for southern birds, and $10 a dozen for those
from the Southwest. Thus, all told, $75,000 to $100,000 worth of quail
were required for a partial supply of rie existing demand. Severe
winters are likely to recur, and even under favorable climatic condi-
tions, excessive hunting and the rapidly increasing number of game
preserves will create a constant demand for birds for propagation.
Already quail have been raised in confinement in an experimental way,
but with varying success. All the difficulties have not yet been over-
come, but they are not insuperable, and it is to be hoped that State
or private enterprise may successfully meet them at no distant date.

14 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

ee —Thirteen permits were issued for the entry of 9 mam-
mals, 15 birds, and 1 lizard at Honolulu during the year, imported
chiefly from Australia, China, and Japan. In June, 1905, a consign-
ment of rattlesnakes was received from San Francisco. These snakes
were designed for public exhibition in a small zoological collection.
They were promptly destroyed by the inspector at Honolulu, and, in
reponse to strong public sentiment, former restrictions on entries into
Hawaii were extended to cover all snakes, instead of poisonous ones
alone.

INTERSTATE COMMERCE ’*IN GAME.

Seven cases of violation of the interstate-commerce provisions of
the Lacey Act have been reported to the Department during the year
and six are still pending. Two of these cases involved the illegal ship-
ment of 133 ducks and 1 grouse from North Dakota; one, shipment of
6 prairie chickens from South Dakota; and two, shipment of 313 quail
from Oklahoma. The other two cases originated in West Virginia.
One of them related to unlawful transportation of quail by a mail .
carrier on the route from Capon Bridge, W. Va., to Winchester, Va.,
and upon a report of the facts to the Postmaster-General an investiga-
tion was made, which resulted in doing away with the traffic. The
other was based on the seizure of a shipment of ruffed grouse en route
to Baltimore.

Convictions were secured in two cases on indictments filed in previous
years, one involving the shipment | of quail from Oklahoma and the

other prairie chickens from Vilas, S. Dak.

Conditions in the Middle W est, where violations of this character
have been most frequent, have undergone marked change during the
past year. Consignments at Chicago and St. Louis have greatly
decreased in number, and shippers are now resorting to means other
than the express to reach the market. The steady restrictions of sale
and shipment, and the consequent diminution of profit have reduced
the importance of these shipments, and attention is now directed
mainly to the problem of discovering and dealing with the novel meth-
ods of evading the law practised in the Southwest. In some of the
Eastern States and in the South illegalities also require special con-
sideration. Reports are frequently received of shipments of quail,
ruffed grouse, and other game to the markets of Washington, Balti-
more, and Philadelphia from points in Virginia and adjoining States
in violation of the Federal law, but efforts to prevent such shipments
thus far have not been successful.

BIRD RESERVATIONS.

Four new bird reservations have been established by Executive
order during the year, namely, Huron, Siskiwit, and Passage Key
Reservations in the fall of 1905 and Indian Key Reservation early i in
1906.

The table on page 15 presents a convenient summary of the seven
reservations thus far established.

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 15

Bird reservations established to June 30, 1906.

Reservation. | Location. Bee oxi | parte e S
Pelican Island ........ | Indianwkivers Hlonidapsss=s-eeeee eee eee eee DENOeSGososce | Mar. 14,1903
Breton Island .........| Group of 3 islands in Gulf of Mexico, off coast | Unknown ... - Oct. 4,1904

| of Louisiana.
Stump wake ees a sess. | 4islands, Nelson County, N. Dak ...-.---.-.--- 23: ACKeSsas= =e | | Mar. 91905
Huron Islands-........- 5 islands off south shore of Lake Superior, | Unknown ..-.-! Oct. 10,1905
| INEAGITVEEE a eget ere aA SAL, sae ls Se eRe |
Siskiwit Islands ....... | South of Isle Royale, Lake Superior, Michigan.|...-- dota: Weaaee doe
IEEGREIRE INOW oo 6oseense | Mouth of Tampa Bay, HlOTId Aes eee oe ane | GOAORRS eocasllecese (OKO

iin’diameKeyzeeee ee eee leases Oy AER Sao RE SR oie Sen RO hee | Unknown ...-| Feb. 10,1906 ~

These islands are small, low, swampy, or rocky and of no value for
agricultural purposes. They are the breeding or winter resorts of
large colonies of useful or interesting birds, and in setting them aside
as reservations the United States is carrying outa policy which has
been adopted in Australia, New Z ealand, Canada, the British Col-
onies in Africa, and other parts of the world. Warden service is
maintained on these islands in cooperation with the National Associa-
tion of Audubon Societies, and the good results are already apparent.
The only known breeding colony of brown pelicans on the east coast
of Florida now has assured protection and is showing a gratifying
increase, and the establishment of Breton Island reservation has pre-
served thousands of wild ducks from slaughter.

Peican [stand RESERVATION.—Nesting was begun early in Novem-
ber, 600 nests having been constructed by November18. By the end
of the year many young were hatched and the colony seemed in a
prosperous condition, but about the middle of February the young
began to die and in a few days 600 or 700 of them perished. Unfortu-
nately a request to the warden to forward some of the birds for exami-
nation was received too late. Prof. William L. Underwood, of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was pr esent on the island,
dissected one of the dead birds. He found no evidence of disease, and
it is probable that the mortality was due to cold and exposure to
inclement weather. About 150 young survived and by the Ist of
April were able to fly. On April 15 the old birds began to nest again,
and by May 5 the second broods began to hatch. Two hundred nests
were occupied and about 400 young raised in this second nesting.

Breton [stand REsERVATION.—The ducks wintering on this reser-
vation were protected from attacks of market hunters, and the royal,
Wilson, and Cabot terns successfully bred on some of the islands in
the summers of 1905 and 1906. The president of the Audubon Society
of Louisiana reports that while on a tour of inspection in June, 1906,
he found that on this reservation and the Audubon reservation, main-
tained on the adjoining coast by the Louisiana Audubon Society, fully
100,000 terns were reared during the present season.

Stump Lake ReservatTion.—The value of setting aside certain
tracts where absolute protection is accorded to bird life has been .
emphasized by the fact that Stump Lake Reservation not only affords
protection to the birds that nest there, but during the open season

has proved a haven of refuge to birds driven from their usual resorts
in the vicinity. ‘

16 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

Huron Istanps RESERVATION. —Five small unsurveyed islands, situ-
ated in Lake Superior, 4 miles from the south shore, are occupied asa
breeding place by about 700 gulls and a few mergansers. From 1,200
to 1,500 young gulls and a few mergansers were hatched in the sum-
mer of 1905.

Siskiwit IsLanpDs REsERVATION.—Allof the unsurveyed islands lying
near the mouth of Siskiwit Bay on the south side of Isle Royale in
Lake Superior compose the Siskiwit Islands Reservation, which, like
the Hudson Islands Reservation, is a breeding place for gulls. These
two reservations contain the most extensive breeding colonies of
herring gulls in the interior. |

Passacr Kry RESERVATION.—Passage Key Reservation comprises
an island near the mouth of Tampa Bay, and is frequented by large
numbers of terns, ducks, cormorants, brown pelicans, and other birds.
Among the birds present in January were some 3,000 Florida cor-
morants, 5,000 red-breasted mergansers, 3,000 royal terns, and 1,000
tree swallows. Among the May birds, many of which were probably —
nesting, were approximately 5,000 Louisiana herons, 8,000 terns of
various kinds, and 100 brown pelicans.

InpIaAN Key ResERvATION.—Indian Key Reservation is situated in
Tampa Bay, about 5 miles northeast of Passage Key. It is a breeding
place and winter resort for herons, cormorants, terns, and other sea
birds.

PROTECTION FROM TREsPAss.—Occasional difficulty has been experi-
enced in protecting some of these reservations from trespass, but Con-
gress has recently passed an act (approved June 29, 1906) making it a
misdemeanor to hunt or trap birds on bird reservations, wilfully dis-
turb them, or take their eggs. This act will materially aid the Depart-
ment in preventing such depredations.

BIG GAME REFUGES.

The transfer to the Sequoia National Park of part of the herd of
dwarf elk, presented to the Government by Miller & Lux some years
ago, was successfully accomplished in November, 1905. About 20 of
the animals were captured on the Button Willow ranch, transferred
by rail to the station nearest the park, and placed in tbe inclosure
constructed for them in 1904. The elk now in the park form the
nucleus of a new herd which, with adequate protection and the favor-
able surroundings afforded by the park, it is hoped may insure the
preservation of this fine species.

The New-York Zoological Society generously offered 15 or 20 buffalo
to the Department on condition that a suitable range be inclosed for
them on the Wichita Game Preserve in Oklahoma. This new preserve,
situated in the midst of the former natural range of the buffalo,
affords an ideal location for the establishment of a herd under Govern-
ment auspices, but it was impossible to accept this offer at once on
account of lack of an appropriation for fencing the proposed range.
The matter was presented to Congress and an item was included in the
current appropriation bill providing $15,000 for the construction of
the necessary fence under the supervision of the Forest Service.

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 17

PROTECTION OF GAME IN ALASKA.

Conditions under the Alaska game law remain practically unchanged,
and the close supervision of exports and the restricted issue of per-
mits have been continued. Special restriction of the export of tro-
phies from the Kenai Peninsula has been maintained for several seasons
on account of the danger threatening the game because of the acces-
sibility of the region and its peculiar attractiveness to sportsmen in
search of big game. During the past year the issue of permits was
confined mainly to the open season, and early in the spring was tem-
porarily suspended. Comparatively few permits were granted, chiefly
to residents of Alaska desiring to bring home a few heads for their
own use. |

The question of the shipment of trophies has proved the most
troublesome feature of the law and has given rise to considerable dis-
satisfaction. The question is complicated by the occurrence on the
Kenai Peninsula of the largest species of moose in the world, the heads
of which are greatly sought as trophies. Horns having a spread of
72 inches or more command fabulous prices, which makes head hunting
one of the chief objects both of sportsmen and natives. Every device
is employed to obtain permits to bring out moose heads, and no means
of checking this tratlic have been devised, except the unsatisfactory
expedient of prohibiting all shipments from the Kenai Peninsula.

The permits issued may be divided into three groups—those for
shipment of trophies, those for collecting specimens for scientific pur-
poses, and those for capture of live game intended for propagation or
exhibition. According to the records of this office 204 permits have
been issued since the passage of the law in 1902, as shown in the
following table:

Number of permits issued for the shipment of trophies and specimens from Alaska.

| ~ |
oe | | Not used |
. eae 5 F Scientific | Propaga-| ~~ :

Year ending June 30— Trophies. specimens. | eae oreen Total. .

| a

| |
[QOS Lieu Re 2 ee ea 34 | 12 2 13) él
UO oon eee Gace Cease Bae eE eee eee eee | 43 | 8 0 16 | 67
ICR Seasdtc bee boc en cae Sao a Oe ee ee 12 4 3 9 | 28
BBS OG eee te ee eae ica SS cael = Ase oe Sele clot giasie 23 8 1 | 16 | 648
RO tele mere eee Sey! Ls os 2 Se cietie ie 32 6 | 54 204

aTwo duplicate numbers. b One duplicate number.

The total number of permits for export of trophies was 112 and
for export of scientific specimens 32, or an average of 28 and 8, respec-
tively. The number issued during the past fiscal year was 23 for
trophies, 8 for scientific specimens, and 1 for live birds (for the New
York Zoological Park). ‘These figures, however, are greatly in excess
of the number of permits actually used. The Department has direct
knowledge that 54, or more than 25 per cent of the total number
issued, were canceled or remain unused, and as the reports of the col-
lector of customs at Seattle, where most of the Alaska shipments are
received, show the receipt during the entire four years of only 47 con-
signments (35 of trophies and 12 of specimens), it is evident that many
permits remain unused of which no direct information has been

143B—06 2

Aout es DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

received. In the past year, with 32 permits outstanding, the number
of consignments received at Seattle was only 10, of which 4 were
heads forwarded for mounting to be returned to Alaska and 1 was a
head in transit from British Columbia. It is evident, therefore, that
in spite of the frequent demand for permits and the great pressure
brought to bear on the Department in order to secure them, compara-
tively few are actually used.

To relieve the Department of much unnecessary criticism a transfer
of the issue of permits to some convenient point in the Territory
where, when necessary, conditions can be readily investigated, seems
desirable. It is hoped that this matter will be considered by the next
Congress, and that the present law will be modified.

INFORMATION CONCERNING GAME.

Many requests are received for information concerning game and
game protection. Among the most important was one in connection
with an effort to maintain the law prohibiting the sale of imported °
game in close season in the State of New York. Such sales have
already been practically stopt in the District of Columbia, and in
Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, and other States. The ques-
tion was taken up with State officers in California, Colorado, Illinois,
Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Ohio, and data were
obtained which proved of material assistance in connection with the
measure under consideration.

In response to a request received from the Massachusetts State
Game Association, similar information was furnished concerning the
sale of game from the West in the markets of Boston. The necessity
was clearly shown of restricting the sale of such game in Massachu-
setts to the open season, in order to prevent evasion and violation of
the Federal law and the laws of the States from which the shipments
were made. |

Wisconsin has recently past a law placing deputy game wardens
under the civil service and requiring applicants for the position to
take competitive examinations. In the adoption of this important
step in the administration of the local law the State warden asked for
suggestions from the Department, which, in response to the request, —
recommended certain subjects and conditions which might advan-
tageously be incorporated in such examinations. Requests are fre-
quently received from game officials and associations for information,
personal conference, or representation at meetings. Such requests
are complied with whenever possible, and during the year personal
consultations were had with State officials of California, Idaho, Llli-
nois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis-
souri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and W yoming.
Many of these were held at the meeting of the National Association of
Game Wardens at St. Paul, in January, 1906, which afforded an oppor-
tunity for conference with a number of State officers of the Northwest.
- Considerable progress has been made during the year on the index
of game laws and the bibliography of game literature mentioned in
the last report. A complete index of the laws of Missouri and Cali-,
fornia, covering more than half a century, was added to the work
already done in indexing State laws; and several of the more important

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 19

serials, together with some of the current foreign game laws, have been
examined for material for the bibliography. The index of decisions
on game laws, which was undertaken at the request of the National
Association of Game Wardens, has been nearly completed. The plan
of the work was submitted to the association at the annual meeting in
January, 1906, and received the ¢ approval of the committee appointed
to examine it. As soon as additions suggested by the committee have
been incorporated, the index will be prepared for publication.

Owing to greatly increased interest in the game-refuge idea and
because of pending legislation on the subject by Congress, it was
deemed desirable to investigate methods of establishing and maintain-
ing game refuges in other countries. Data have been collected
respecting the game refuges of Canada; of Denmark and Norway in
Europe; of British East Africa, Cape Colony, Natal, Sudan, and the
Transvaal in Africa: and some of the States of Australia. Informa-
tion has been secured also concerning methods of preserving moose
or elk practised in Sweden for the past one hundred and fifty years.

The usual summary of State game laws affecting seasons, shipment,
and sale was issued, as well as posters showing close seasons for game
in the United States and Canada. As many ‘of the close seasons in
North Carolina were changed by a revisal of the laws of that State,
which was published too late to be incorporated in either bulletin or
poster, a special poster was issued showing the close seasons of North
Carolina as modified by the revisal.

While, as stated, information and assistance have been promptly
furnished whenever possible in response to the numerous demands
made on the office, on the other hand, it is a pleasure to state that
ready and hearty cooperation has been met with from game officials
and organizations of the United States and other countries, railroad
and express companies, and many private individuals.

ROUTINE WORK.

As the field work of the Survey increases and new lines of investi-
tion are undertaken, the amount of routine work increases correspond-
ingly. This consists of correspondence, chiefly in the nature of
responses to requests for information, preparing reports and bulle-
tins for publication, identifying and labeling specimens, storage and
eare of field collections, cataloging bird stomachs, tabulating field
reports, sorting and filing published matter valuable for reference,
mapping distribution of birds and mammals, supplying the needs of
field assistants, developing photographic plates and making prints
therefrom, compiling game laws, issuing permits for the entry of
foreign mammals and birds and for the export of trophies and speci-
mens from Alaska, and cooperation in enforcing the various provisions
of the act of Congr ess of May 25, 1900. The ‘letters received during
the year numbered about 4,600, the letters written during the same
period numbered about 6,500, and over 700 migration schedules were
sent out to observers.

The collection of negatives made in the field for the purposes of
study, record, and illustration now numbers about 10,000.

PUBLICATIONS.

The publications for the oa include 1 number of North American
Fauna, 4 bulletins, 5 circulars, 2 articles in the Yearbook, 1 Farmers’

20 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

Bulletin, the Report of the Chief for 1905, and 11 reprints of former
publications.

North American Fauna No. 25, by Vernon Bailey, comprises a
“Biological Survey of Texas.” The Bulletins are entitled: No. 21,
“The Bobwhite and Other Quails of the United States in their
Economic Relations,” by Sylvester D. Judd; No. 22, ‘‘ Birds Known
to Eat the Boll Weevil,” by Vernon Bailey: No. 23, **The Horned
Larks and their Relation to Agriculture,” by Weal McAtee; No.
24, **The Grouse and Wild Turkeys of the United States and their
Economic Value,” by Sylvester D. Judd; No. 25, ‘* Birds that eat the
Cotton Boll Weevil,” by Arthur H. Howell. The Farmers’ Bulletin is
**Game Laws for 1905; A Summary of the Provisions Relating to Sea-
sons, Shipments, Sale, and Licenses,” by T. S. Palmer, Henry Oldys,
and R. W. Williams, jr. (No. 230). The articles in the Yearbook are
entitled, ‘‘ Federal Game Protection—a Five Years’ Retrospect,” by
T. S. Palmer; and ‘‘Meadow Mice in Relation to Agriculture and
Horticulture,” by D. E. Lantz. The titles of the circulars are as fol-
lows: No. 49, ‘‘ Directions for Preparing Specimens of Large Mammals
in the Field,” by C. Hart Merriam; No. 50, ‘‘ Directory of State
' Officials and Organizations Concerned with the Protection of Birds
and Game,” by T. 8S. Palmer; No. 51, ‘* List of Publications;” No.
52, ‘** Directions for Destroying Pocket Gophers,” by D. E. Lantz.
Inaddition, reprints of the following were issued: Bulletin, 1; Farmers’
Bulletins, 3; Yearbook articles, 3; circulars, 4.

OUTLINE OF WORK FOR 1907.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.

Field work in California, New Mexico, Colorado, and South Dakota,
to determine the life and crop zones of these States, will be continued
during the year on much the same lines as in past years.

General field work in Texas has been practically completed and iti is
expected that a report upon the birds of the State will be ready during
the present year. The publication of a volume, with maps illustrating
the life and crop zones of this large and important State, has been
planned, but as yet funds will not admit of the final field investiga-
tions necessary to determine the crops best adapted to the several
faunal areas. It is hoped that provision will be made for this work
so that it can be completed during the next field season.

It is planned to send an assistant to Alaska in 1907 to investigate,
among other matters, the subject of fox farming, an industry which
seems to promise important results.

ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY AND MAMMALOGY.

An important part of the work of this branch of the Survey for the
coming year will be field investigations of epidemic diseases of rabbits
and other rodent pests with a view to the discovery of effective means
of destroying them on a large scale and at small cost.

Laboratory and field experiments in cooperation with the Bureau of
Animal Industry to test the value of an imported virus in the destruc-
tion of field mice and rats will be continued.

The field and laboratory experiments with a bacterial virus for the
destruction of sper mophiles injurious to grain, in cooperation with

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 21

the State exper naene station at Pullman, Wash., will be continued on
a more extensive scale. Experiments also with this virus will be
made to test its efficacy in the destruction of rats.

Two preliminary reports on the relation of birds to the boll weevil in
Texas have been issued. The work will be continued in cooperation
with the Bureau of Entomology in Texas and will be extended into
Louisiana, into which State the weevil has already made its way and
where it threatens the same disastrous results which have attended
its presence in Texas.

The investigation of the food of California birds with special rela-
tion to the protection of orchards and vineyards will be continued
during the present year, and a full report thereupon will be issued as
soon as the necessary examinations of stomachs can be completed.

Investigations of the food habits of the rose-breasted grosbeak with
particular relation to the destruction of the Colorado beetle are practi-
cally completed, and a report upon the subject will soon be ready for
the press.

A report on the English sparrow, containing an account of its food-
habits, methods of breeding and of distribution, together with sugges-
tions for restricting its spread, was published in 1889. Since then, in
spite of strenuous efforts to limit its increase, including the offering
of bounties in many localities, the pest has greatly increased in num-
bers and has widely extended its range. Requests for information
relative to it are constantly being received, and as the above report
has long been out of print it is thought desirable to issue a revised
report containing much data accumulated since the date of the former
report and bring ging the subject up to date.

A preliminary study of the present status of the wolf problem in
the Western States, with a view to the discovery of methods for
destroying the big gray or timber wolf, has been completed, except
that certain work during the fall months is necessary to develop the
best methods of trapping at that season. A report on the subject,
prepared by the Biological Survey, will be published by the Forest
Service.

It is intended to continue experiments for the purpose of preventing

or limiting the damage by wolves and coyotes in the West. Coyotes,

tho smaller and less formidable than gray wolves, inflict considerable
injury, especially to the sheep and poultry industries. Fencing
experiments will be continued for the purpose of ascertaining the
height and the size of mesh necessary for a coyote-proof fence which
can be put up at a cost sufficiently low to render its general use to
sheep raisers practicable.

Meadow mice are a perennial source of annoyance and danger to the
nursery and orchard, as well as most destructive to pasturage and
various crops. Attention will be paid to improving known methods
of destreying them by means of poison and traps, as well as to exper-
imenting with a virus for thinning their numbers by disease.

“ae GAME PROTECTION.
IMPORTATION.

' Further improvement in the work of supervising importations of
foreign animals and birds will be instituted on July 1, 1906, which it
is expected will not only facilitate the issue of permits, but will serve

22 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

as a further check thereon. A notice of the issue of each permit will
be forwarded by the same mail to the collector of customs at whose
port the entry is to be made, and at the close of the quarter the orig-
inal permits will be returned to this Bureau thru the Treasury
Department with a report from the collector. In this way each col-
lector will be advised of the permits drawn on his port, and the receipt
of the permits by the Department will show which have been used.
The consolidated card index of species imported into the United
States begun last year will probably be completed in the course of a
few months. It will furnish a record of the wild birds and animals
imported since the passage of the Lacey Act of 1900, with the date of
entry and number of birds of each.species or in any one shipment.

INTERSTATE COMMERCE IN GAME.

Attention will be centered in’ Oklahoma and the Southwest, where
new probiems are presented which call for careful and comprehensive
investigation. Preliminary arrangements for conducting cooperative
work during the open season of 1906 have already been made between
the Department and two of the States most intimately concerned.
Attention will be given also to the violations of the Federal law fre-
quently reported from the States of Virginia, West Virginia, and
North Carolina, and an attempt made to diminish the number of illegal
shipments from these States. In this connection the fact can not be
too strongly emphasized that the Department has never -had the means
to properly discharge the duties placed upon it by the Lacey Act. In~-
the absence of adequate appropriation it has been impossible to give
this feature of the work the personal supervision it requires, or
to organize it on a systematic and thoro basis. In order to carry
out properly the provisions relating to interstate commerce in game it
is necessary that the territory east of the Rocky Mountains, which
supplies most of the game forwarded to eastern markets, be divided
into at least three districts, each in charge of a supervisor responsible
for maintaining careful scrutiny over the express and freight ship-
ments, and who should be required to investigate reports of violations
and cooperate with State officers in obtaining the evidence necessary
for the apprehension and prosecution of violators of the law. These
districts should be as follows: A northwestern, comprising the States
from Michigan to Montana and Ohio to Nebraska, with headquarters
at Chicago; a southwestern, comprising the States from Kentucky to
Tennessee and Mississippi to Colorado, with headquarters at St. Louis;
and a southeastern, comprising the States from Maryland to Alabama,
with headquarters at Baltimore. In the past wherever personal aid
has been given to State officials excellent results have followed; but,
owing to the rigid economy heretofore necessary, it has been impos-
sible to accede to many of the requests for such cooperation. Active
and intelligent work on the part of such Federal supervisors would
constitute an effective check on illegal shipments of game, would create
a wholesome respect for the Federal law prohibiting such shipments,
and would enable the Department to handle the cases much more sys-
tematically and effectively than is now possible. The services of
supervisors for ‘this special work would not be required during the
entire year, perhaps for not more than six months (during the open

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 23

season for game), but a sufficient sum for traveling expenses should be
allowed to enable the supervisors to cover their districts and for special

investigations.
GAME REFUGES.

The attention given to Federal refuges in recent sessions of Congress,
and the misapprehension on the part of many persons in regard to the
subject, indicate the desirability of early publication of all available
data on this important subject. An investigation has already been
begun, and information will be secured concerning the character and
extent of refuges or game preserves in foreign countries, the manner
in which they are maintained, and the degree of success which has fol-
lowed their establishment.

In the past three years seven bird refuges established by Executive
order have been placed in char ge of the Secretary of Agriculture and
their administration has been intrusted to the Biological Survey. In
cooperation with the National Association of Audubon: Sccieties, warden
service has been established on each of these reservations, but to secure
the best results and fully attain the object for which these preserves
were established, they should be frequently inspected and steps should
be taken to procect more effectively the birds nesting on them. A small
expenditure for this purpose will yield large returns and make of some
of the reserves, such as Pelican Island in Florida, important points of
attraction for the States in which they are located.

The private preserves of the United States, which are now numbered
by hundreds, and the combined area of which greatly exceeds that of
existing Federal preserves, should also be the subject of investigation
to ascertain their location and area and the methods under which they
are maintained. Some progress in this direction has already been
made, but their rapidly increasing number and the lack of means pre-
vent thoro investigation.

COOPERATIVE WORK.

Cooperation with the Forest Service will be continued for the pur-
pose of devising the best methods of increasing the stock of game on
the Federal refuges which have been established in Oklahoma and
Arizona. Cooperation with the State wardens and commissioners for
the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the Lacey Act and restrict-
ing the shipment of game in violation of the Federal law will likewise
be continued as heretofore. Cooperative work with the New York State
library in indexing the game laws will be continued, and itis hoped
that before the close of the year all of the States west of the Missouri
River will have been covered. ¥

The events of the past spring have demonstrated the necessity of
immediately devising means of obtaining game birds, especially quail,
for propagation. In cooperation with a committee of the American
Breeders’ Association it is expected to make at least preliminary inves-
tigations to ascertain what has been accomplished in this field, especi-
ally in rearing quail, grouse, pheasants, and ducks in captivity or ina
_ state of semidomestication. Consideration will be given also to the
_ possibility of developing certain breeds of pheasants or other game
birds adapted to the conditions of the regions that need restocking.

24 ‘ DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

In submitting estimates for the fiscal year 1908 the following rec-
ommendations are made:
(1) That an increase of $2,200 in the statutory roll be granted ton
be applied as follows: $1,200 for the employment of a stenographer
and typewriter whose services are necessary on account of the greatly
increased work in the business office of the Bureau; and $1,000 for an {
additional clerk whose services are needed in the Office of Game —
Protection. a
(2) That an increase of $11,500 in the lump appropriation be granted —
as follows: For field investigations, chiefly in relation to methods of ~
controlling the ravages of rodent mammals, including studies of |
epidemic bacterial diseases, $3,000; for field work in lecating the —
boundaries of crop belts and for work on geographic distribution, —
$1,000; for work in economic ornithology and mammalogy, $1, 0003.
for special investigations in connection with the depredations of wolves, - %
coyotes, and panther s, and other carniverous animals on stock ranges, —
game refuges, and forest reserves, $2,500; for salaries and traveling ~
expenses on account of supervision of interstate commerce in game, —
$2,000; for miscellaneous field expenses for Office of Game Protection,
$1,000; for the payment of inspection fees on entry of foreign birds
and animals, 51,0U0. j
Total increase, $13,700.

O