CALIFORNIA
FISH- GAME
1
Volume 35
San Francisco, July, 1949
Number 3
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME
San Francisco. California
EARL WARREN
Governor
WARREN T. HANNUM
Director of Natural Resources
FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
Modesto
HARVEY E. HA ST A :.er Commissioner
Brav Etna
Z F. PAYNE, Commissioner
Los Angeles
Execu'
Sa:
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
CARLTC ' Berkeley
Editorial Board
RICHARD S. CROKER San Francisco
WILLIAM A :an Francisco
JOHN E. CHATT::: Berk
California wildlife.
It Is published quarterly bj erial for
publication should be sent to Dr Carlton M. Herman, Editor, Division "i l
Game, Strawberry Canyon, University of Berkel< ilifomia. Manu-
scripts should be typed, to the -
The articles published herein ai opyrighted and may be
periodicals, provided du< California Division of I
and Game.
This publication is sen! free of charge t.i interested persons, who may have their
names placed "n the n ailing list by writing to the editor. Subscriptions are for one
year and must be renewed annually. A postcard will be included with each i
issue for renewal "t" subscriptions. Subscribers are requested t>- notify the Division of
Fish and Game, University of California, Berkeley 4. California, <>f chai address,
giving "hi address as well as the new.
California Fish and Game
"conservation of wildlife through education"
me 35 ISSUED JULY 6, 1949 No. 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Notes on the spawning grounds and early life history of the Pacific
mackerel P. M. Roedel 147
Observations and notes on some California Marine fishes
J. E. Fitch 155
The food of young l.ir-emouth black bass (Micropterus sal amides)
in Clear Lake, California G. I. Murphy 159
Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific
( oast of the United States and Canada in 1948
F. E. Felix. J. B. Phillips and A. E. Daugherty 165
The 1948-49 outbreak of fowl cholera in birds in the San Francisco
Bay area and surrounding counties
M. N. Rosen and A. I. Bischoff 185
Disease investigations on mammals and birds by the California
Division of Fish and Game C. M. Herman and M. N. Rosen 193
Xotes —
Large Dover sole taken off Eureka F. B. Hagerman 202
Reviews —
Trout fisheries in Xew Zealand, their development and manage-
ment H. A. Hanson 203
Trapping —J. A. Wallace 203
The ruffed grouse H. A. Hjersman 204
The ruffed grouse H. A. Hjersman 204
Big game hunting J. D. Stokes 204
shots at whitetails J. D. Stokes 205
Wildlife management V. S. Leopold 205
Know vonr ducks and ji'eese C. M. Herman 206
Reports 207
i 146 I
NOTES ON THE SPAWNING GROUNDS AND EARLY
LIFE HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC MACKEREL1
By Phil M. Roedel
Bureau of Marine Fisheries
California Division of Fish and Game
INTRODUCTION
For a number of years prior to 1942, the California Bureau of
Marine Fisheries made a series of surveys along the California and Lower
California coast in order to determine the extent of the spawning grounds
of the Pacific mackerel, Pruumatophorus diego (Ayres). The work was
purely exploratory. Nothing of a quantitative study of egg and larvae
production was attempted, and the survey trips themselves were made
erratically — usually in conjunction with other research projects — as
vessels were available. In 1936, two papers were published (Fry 1936
;t, b), the first describing the eggs and early larval stages and the second
delineating the spawning grounds as they were then known. From 1936
through 1941, a considerable amount of .additional data were obtained
both as to spawning grounds and early life history. Because of the exten
sive egg and larval studies projected for Pacific coast fishes, it seems
desirable to present this material, together with a summary of Fry's
findings, as an aid to other workers.
SPAWNING GROUNDS
Surveys Prior to 1936
Fry (1936b) reported finding mackerel eggs in four areas : Southern
California, Cape Colnett, southern Sebastian Viscaino Bay, and near
Pequena Bay. He found larvae but no eggs at Cape San Lucas and
neither eggs nor larvae from Point Conception north to Monterey Bay.
Eggs were found most abundantly in water less than 40 fathoms deep
with surface temperatures between 62 degrees and 69 degrees F. None
were collected beyond the 100 fathom line or in water colder than 57
degrees or warmer than 72 degrees. He notes that surface water tem-
peratures north of Pt. Conception are usually below the 57 minimum.
Surveys Made 1936-1941
These surveys revealed that mackerel spawn along the entire coast
from Southern California south to Cape San Lucas and into the Gulf
of California at least as far as Espiritu Santo Island (Fig. 31). Though
no eggs were collected in the gulf north of Espiritu Santo, larvae wTere
found at several stations between the Island and Concepcion Bay (the
northern limit of our explorations) and ripe adults wrere caught at
Mangles Anchorage, about 115 miles above Espiritu Santo and 50 miles
south of Concepcion Bay.
1 Submitted for publication March, 1949.
( 147 )
148
CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME
— LIMIT OF EXTENSIVE SURVEYS
EXPLORATORY TRIPS
AREAS IN WHICH EGGS AND
LARVAE WERE FOUND
e LARVAE ONLY FOUND
Cope Son Low*
Maqaoieno Boh
Figure 31. Known extent of the Pacific mackerel spawning grounds
Contrary to earlier findings, eggs and larvae were by no means
uncommon in depths of up to several hundred fathoms, although they
were usually found in water less than 100 fathoms deep. Eggs were
never found and larvae found but once beyond the 1,000-fathom line. It
is quite possible that they drifted to this position from shallower water.
It must be noted that relatively few hauls were made outside the 100-
fathom line except off Southern California. The data do indicate that
spawning usually occurs fairly close to shore, though it does not appear
to be as concentrated in shallow water as first appeared. Surface water
temperatures at stations where eggs were found ranged from 59 degrees
to 75 degrees F.
LIFE HISTORY OF PACIFIC MACKEREL 149
The most extensive surveys of Southern California waters were
conducted from March through August, 1936. Other cruises were made
in May. 1938, and in June and -July. 1939. In addition, hauls were made
along the mainland from Los Angeles harbor to San Diego on most of
the Mexican trips discussed below. Eggs and larvae were found only in
the months of May and June. (Fry reports the local spawning season
as starting in late April and ending in August or perhaps September i.
The work in this region included two offshore cruises. The first, made in
June 1939, extended some 180 miles beyond San Miguel Island, thence
southeasterly to a point about 200 miles west of Ensenada, where three
larvae were found in very deep water as noted above, and then to San
Clemente Island. The second, made the following month, extended to
Erben Bank (Lat. 32 53'N, Lon. 132 35'W), about 700 miles out of
Los Angeles harbor. Neither eggs nor larvae were found. A single trip
was made into Central California, this in August 1936, Inshore waters
were explored as far north as Monterey Lay with negative results.
Nine cruises were conducted in Mexican waters from 1936 through
1941 as follows :
1. Late February-mid-March, 1936: To vicinity of Ceralbo Island,
Gulf of California. Eggs and larvae f d from Sebastian Viscaino Bay
to Cape San Lucas, and larvae in the gulf north of L<>s Frailes.
2. Mid-.Iuiu--inid-.July. 1936: To vicinity of Ceralbo Island, Gulf of
California. Eggs found in the southwest portion of Sebastian Viscaino
Lay and off the center of Pequefia Bay at the 100-fathom line.
3. April, 1937: To the south shore of Sebastian Viscaino Lay. Eggs
found between San Quintin and Baja Pt.
4. June. 1937: To Ensenada, offshore to Guadalupe Island, thence
to the south shore of Sebastian Viscaino Lay. returning to Los Angeles
harbor along the coast. Eggs and larvae found off Southern California
and near Ensenada. This was the only cruise extending an appreciable
distance offshore in Mexican waters.
5. Mid-March-mid-April, 1938: To Magdalena Bay. Eggs in Sebas-
tian Viscaino Bay and north of Cape San Lazaro; larvae off San Cris-
tobal Lay.
6. October, 1938: To Magdalena Bay. No eggs or larvae.
7. Late January-February, 1940: To Concepcion Bay, Gulf of
California. Eggs and larvae found from north of Cape Colnett to
Espiritu Santo island; larvae to Pulpito Pt. ; ripe adults at Mangles
Anchorage. A station line was run offshore from Carmen Island to a
point about 35 miles east of Ceralbo Island and thence to a point some
15 miles off Los Frailes. Kesults were negative, though both eggs and
larvae had been found close to shore a few days earlier.
8. February, 1941 : To Espiritu Santo Island, Gulf of California.
Eggs and larvae found from near Ensenada to Espiritu Santo Island.
Young fish, 36 to 54 mm. body length, were collected at Ceralbo and
Espiritu Santo Islands, demonstrating that spawning begins, at least in
the gulf, at an appreciably earlier date. Their age is not known, but it
seems improbable that they were less than two or three months.
9. October, 1941 : To Magdalena Bay. Xo eggs or larvae found.
The length of the spawning season in Lower California cannot be
determined from these data. There is some indication that the season in
the gulf is earlier than that along the Pacific Coast. It seems safe to say
1.">(l I \l.lloK\IA PISH AND GAME
that it begins no later thai] December in the gulf, and it apparently had
ended there by June the year a trip was made in that month. North of
Magdalena Bay spawning was continuing in June and July. While eggs
were Pound in late January and February from the vicinity of Ensenada
south, young fish, evidence of an appreciably earlier start to the season,
were not captured.
DEVELOPMENT
Eggs and Larvae
Both the development of mackerel eggs and the early larval stages
were described and figured by Fry (1936a). According to Fry, newly
hatched larvae are about 3 mm. long. Melanophores are distributed
irregularly on the oil globule, are found along the sides of the body,
usually two 011 each myomere, and are scattered anteriorally. Yellow
chromatophores form a yellow band around the tail, and occur at the
posterior rim of the eyes and around the oil globule. At eight hours the
melanophores begin to disappear and at 18 or 20 hours, black pigment
may be almost lacking. By 30 hours, to quote Fry, "* * : a row of
black spots has formed along the ventral side of the tail on each side of
the fin fold and there is black pigment along the top of the body cavity.
This pattern is retained until the larva is at least ten days old and
probably longer. The yellow tail band dwindles in size ; by 2| days it is
a small patch, and by four days or less it has entirely disappeared."
Sizes up to 11 mm. (preserved measurements) are represented in
subsequent collections and typical examples are shown in Figures 32 to
36. In the 4 mm. specimen pigmentation is much as described by Fry
above. At 5 mm., pigmentation on the head and belly is more intense,
but the melanophores on the posterio-ventral surface have disappeared.
The 7 mm. specimen shows increased pigmentation anteriorally and a
row of melanophores along the back. The pelvic fins can be seen. At 9
mm., pigmentation is somewhat less on the belly but is heavier elsewhere.
The little fish at 11 mm. has still more melanophores on the head, and
heavy rows of black spots along the back and along the bases of the anal
and caudal fins.
Figure 32. Pacific mackerel, 4 mm. Drawing by Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
LIFE HISTORY OF PACIFIC .MACKEREL
151
j»«*
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o
Figurk 33. Pacific mackerel, 5 mm. Droning b:j Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
Figure 34. Pacific mackerel, 7 nun. Draicing by Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
v.;
V
o
1
■ta I
Figure 35. Pacific mackerel, 'J mm. Draicing by Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
—
pi
*»*
Figure 36. Pacific mackerel, 11 mm. Draicing by Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
Young Fish
Young fish over 11 mm. and less than 80 mm. are known only from
a group of about 15 individuals ranging from 36 to 54 mm. body length.
The 45 mm. specimen illustrated (Fig. 37) is typical of this group and
is unmistakably a mackerel. When these fish were first caught, the
beginning of the characteristic zebra stripes of the adult could be seen.
1 52
CALIFORNIA Flsil AM) GAME
The markings consisted of ;i few rather heavy and bul slightly wavy
bars. No attempl was made to add them to the drawing which was made
from preserved material. The specimens were taken in dip nets under a
lighl while anchored in calm bays close to shore. Locality records include
Isla Partida Harbor, Espiritu Santo [sland and the southwest side of
Ceralbo [sland, both in the Gulf of California (Feb. lf*41 i, and San
Roque Bay, Lower California (Oct. 1941 and including the individual
figured > .
S ©
jn**rm
Figure
Pacific mackerel, 4."i mm. Drawing hi/ Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
Progression of Ossification in Larvae
In the course of a racial study of the mackerel, it was found that the
initial position of several structures on the vertebral column varied in
some degree with geographical locality. It then became desirable to know
at what developmental stage the position of these structures became
fixed. By following in general the KOII-alizarin method of Hollister
(1034) we were able to obtain a highly satisfactory series of cleared
and stained larvae up to 11 mm. in length. Examination of this material
showed that the first haemal arch was closed on vertebra 11 in all indi-
viduals over 8.1 mm. while the first haemal spine appeared on vertebra
15 in those over 7.5 mm. These are the usual positions in over 90 percent
of adult mackerel. The centra showed little evidence of ossification at
this size.
Typical 5, 8, and 11 mm. specimens are shown in Figures 38 to 40.
The drawings indicate clearly the progression of ossification. At 5 mm.,
the jaw bones, vomer, parasphenoid, basioccipital and all four opercular
bones can be distinguished as can the ceratohyal and four of the branchi-
ostegals. The hyomandibular appears as two widely separated pieces.
The pectoral girdle and a few caudal rays are evident. The vertebral
column shows no trace of ossification and the cranium but little.
n^
^
Figure 38. Pacific mackerel, 5 mm., cleared and stained.
Drawing by Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
LIFE HISTORY OF PACIFIC MACKEREL
153
At 8 mm., the quadrate, pterygoid, and metapterygoid are forming
and all the branchiostegals are present. The urohyal is distinct, as are
the branchial arches. The latter are not shown in the drawing for sake
of clarity. From the dorsal aspect, a tiny supraoccipital crest can be
seen. It lies below the level of the adjoining cranial bones in the lateral
view. As stated above, the positions of the first haemal arch and spine
are fixed at this size even though ossification of the vertebral column is
Figure '■'■'.'. Pacific mackerel, S mm., cleared ;uxl stained.
Drawing by Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
Figure 40. Pacific mackerel, 11 mm., cleared and stained.
Drawing by Gerhard Bakker, Jr.
confined to the first two and the last vertebrae. The first dorsal and pelvic
fins remain undifferentiated, but the others arc well marked.
The 11 mm. specimen shows considerable development over the 8
mm. stage. The two portions of the hyomandibular are joined and the
palatines, mesoptergoid and basisphenoid are visible. Ossification of the
vertebral column is progressing rapidly. The first six vertebrae are
formed and ribs are taking shape. All fins are clearly defined and the
five dorsal and anal finlets can be distinguished from the adjoining' rays-.
References
Fry, Donald II., Jr.
1930a. A description of the eggs and larvae of the Pacific mackerel. Calif. Fish and
Game, vol. 22. p. 27-29.
1036b. A preliminary summary of the life history of the Pacific mackerel. Ibid,
p. 30-39.
Hollister, Gloria
1934. Clearing and drying fish for hone study. Zoologica, vol. 12, no. 10, p. 89-101.
OBSERVATIONS AND NOTES ON SOME
CALIFORNIA MARINE FISHES1
By John B. Fitch
Bureau of Marine Fisheries
California Division of Fish and < lame
The appearances of the several species of fish listed below are unusual
enough to warrant a published record. These specimens have come to the
attention of the California State Fisheries Laboratory since the last series
reported by Fitch 1 1949).
Polydactylies approximans I Lay and Bennett) Pacific threadfin (Fig. 41)
A specimen approximately one foot in total length was taken by Mr.
William 0. Woodworth of Coarsegold, California, during the summer of
1941. He was fishing in the surf at Sunset Leach just south of Long Leach.
California, and was using long-handed ghost shrimp (Calianassa longi-
mana Stimpson I for bait. His catch was identified from excellent photo-
graphs which were sent to the laboratory in January. 1949. According
to Mr. Woodworth the flesh of the threadfin proved to be quite tasty when
it was eaten bv his family.
3 Inches
Figure 41. Pacific threadfin. Polydactylies approximans. Photo by
Hawthorne Studios, Los Angeles
Barnhart (1936) gives the range of this species as the tropical east
Pacific rarely to San Diego and Santa Catalina Island. Jordan and Starks
(1907) state that this species is common about Mazatlan, and "has been
once taken at Santa Catalina and once at San Diego." Follett (1948)
in a review of this species gives the range from Callao, Peru to Santa
Catalina Island, California. He also gives a detailed description of a
1 Submitted for publication March, 1949.
(155 )
56
i ALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME
specimen taken in Monterey Bay, California (a northerly extrusion of
the recorded range and lists seven other specimens taken in California
waters and previously unrecorded.
- ven of the eight specimens he lists were taken during a 12-month
period between August, 1940, and August, 1941. For the eighth he gives
no date of capture. The specimen taken by Mr. Woodworth also falls into
the 12-month period mentioned above and all excepl one were taken in
the fairly Limited area In 'tween San Clemente and San Pedro, California.
The number of specimens taken in ( lalifornia during this relatively
short period opens to speculation the possibility that they were brought
as Ear north as San Pedro during the summer of 1!»40 in the bait wells of
;i tuna clipper and dumped into our waters when the bait tanks were
drained. For fish as small as these we it. the above theory is entirely within
reason ; however in the absence of proof their occurrence this far north
• •on Id be attributed as logically to natural migrations.
0. taylori (Girard) (Fig. 42-) was also taken in considerable num-
bers in the same vicinity. The two species closely resemble each other and
there is a certain aniounl of overlap in their ranges. 0. scrippsi lias four
to six gill rakers in the lower limb of the outer gill arch while 0. taylori
has seven to nine. 0. scrippsi is also deeper bodied and has a larger head.
2 Inches
Figure 42. Spotted cusk-eel. Otophidium taylori. Photo by Al Johns for
Vernon M. Haiti n . Sa n P< dro
Spirinch ics starksi I Fish | Fig. 4o I Night smelt
This species is a member of the true smelt family I < Kmeridae) and
in Northern California is of considerable commercial importance being
marketed with several other kinds of small fish as whitebait. Its range
according to Roedel (1948) extends from Monterey Bay. California,
I Inch
Figure 4.;. Night smelt. Spirinchus starksi. Photo by Al Johns for
Vernon M. Haden, San Pedro
CALIFORNIA MARINE FISHES 1 5 i
north into Washington. This fish is the northern counterpart of the
grunion, Leuresthes tenuis (Ayres), which is found along the coast of
Southern California. During its spawning season Spirinchus starksi runs
into the extremely shallow water along the coast and though it does not
actually beach itself as does the grunion it can be found in considerable
numbers in the backwash of Tin- waves. As with The grunion it also spawns
at night.
During the operations of the oil exploration crews between Point
Arguello and Morro Bay. California, in November and December, 1948,
a number of these osmerids were killed and floated to The surface and
were recovered by Wedgewood. Not only do these records extend the
southerly range for This species some 100 miles beyond that given by
Roedel, but also The fact that They were found in fair numbers and in
water ranging in depth To 200 Heel is of considerable importance. Previ-
ously They had been considered a shallow water form not usually occur-
ring much beyond the breaker line in the surf.
Lepidogobius lepidus (Girard i Bay goby
An adult bay goby was picked up by Mr. Robert Wedgewood of The
staff of The Bureau of Marine Fisheries some two miles off Pismo Peach.
California in November, 1948. It was killed by a charge of explosives
detonated a1 the surface of the water by a imophysical survey crew con-
ducting a search for underwater oil deposits. .Mr. Wedgewood recovered
The specimen during a routine post-detonation inspection of The area
when it was observed floating dead upon The surface along with a number
of ot her species of fish killed in the same blast.
Li pidogobius is one of the very common shallow water gobies in the
vicinity of San Francisco Bay and is found from there to Vancouver
Island. British Columbia. South of San Francisco Pay it is a rare visitor
and according to Barnhart (1936 has been recorded as far south as
Lower California. It is of interest thai The present specimen was killed
in water between 100 and 200 feet deep and its collection adds to the
localities where This species has been recorded south of San Francisco Bay.
Otophidium scrippsi Hubbs California cusk-eel
Three of These cusk-eels were also collected by Wedgewood off Point
Arguello, California, during November, 1948, and several more were
picked up in The same vicinity during December. P»4v All were killed
by explosives and floated To the surface. Previously This species was
known from Cedros Island. Lower < Jalifornia, To San Pedro. The present
specimens extend the range to The north some 150 miles.
Lophotus sp. Crestfish
On August 20. 1948. a very rare crestfish or oarfish of the genus
Lophotus was taken on hook and line near Santa Catalina Island (Fitch.
1949). This was but the second Pacific Coast record for this fish. The first
specimen having been Taken in 1919 near Long Beach, California. On
January 29, 1949, just five months after this second crestfish was taken,
another was landed, this by Mr. Xorman Levin of Hollywood. Mr. Levin
hooked his fish near Bel-Air while fishing some 85 yards offshore. He was
using mussel {Mytilus) for bait and fishing on the bottom in what he
estimated to be 80 feet of water. The specimen was almost exactly the
same length as the one landed in August, 1948. and the external appear-
ance identical. It weighed but four pounds for all its 39 inches of length
[58 < AI.II'oKMA FISH AM) GAME
and according to .Mr. Levin, put up "a little fight for aboul a minute."
It has been preserved al Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla,
California, where both it ami tin- August, 1948, specimen will be studied
and reported upon in considerable detail at some future date.
Neoclinus satiricus Girard Sarcastic Eringehead
During January, 1949, .Mi-. Charles C. [shell a commercial diver
from Long Beach, California, brought into the laboratory the jaws of a
fish he had taken off Santa Cruz Island. The extremely long maxillary
and the bright yellow edge of an otherwise blackish maxillary membrane
were the two characteristics which identified it as Neoclinus satiricus.
Mr. Isbell stated that the specimen measured approximately 12 inches
in total length, well over the nine-inch maximum given by P»arnhart
(1936).
The collection of the specimen was slightly unorthodox in that Mr.
Isbell, working in 110 feet of water, had noticed a number of these fish
living in holes along the bottom with their heads sticking up flush with
the floor of the ocean. The jaws were partially open exposing numerous
sharp teeth. .Mr. Isbell struck one of the largest heads with a diving
hammer, ran the stunned fish through with his belt knife and removed it
from its burrow. From the size of the head he expected a specimen of
considerable length and was extremely surprised to note the compara-
tively small body.
This species apparently lives in burrows in the bottom which may
be one reason that specimens are not more often taken in drag nets and
by other conventional methods of collecting. According to the diver's
observations they are not too uncommon in a number of localities at
moderate depths.
Ehinotriakis Ik nlei Gill Brown smoothhound.
On November 3, 1941, a specimen of this shark was caught on hook
and line at San Carlos Anchorage, Lower California (Lat. 29° 37' X.
Lon. 115° 28' W. ). The range of the species, limited to the coast of Cali-
fornia in published records, is thus extended south some 200 miles below
the Mexican boundary. The fish was caught during a cruise of the Cali-
fornia Division of Fish and Game research vessel N. B. Scofield and was
identified by K. S. Crocker and P. M. Roedel. An entry wras made in the
trip report but was overlooked in compiling previous articles on range
extensions.
References
Barnhart, Percy S.
V.i.",r, .Marine fishes of Southern California. Berkeley, Univ. of Calif. Press, 209
pp., 290 figs.
Fitch, John E.
1949. Some unusual occurrences of fish <>n the Pacific Coast. Calif. Fish and Game,
vol. 3r.. pp. 41-49, 8 figs.
Follett. W. I.
1948. A northerly record of Polydactylus approximans I Fay and Bennett), a Poly-
nemid fish of the Pacific Coast of tropica] America. Copeia, 1948, no. 1,
pp. 34-40. 1 pi.
Jordan, D. S., and Starks. E. <'.
1907. Notes on fishes from the Island of Santa Catalina, Southern California. Proc.
F. S. Xat. Mus. [for 1907], vol. 32, pp. 67-77, 8 figs.
Roedel, Phil M.
1948. Common marine fishes of California. Calif. Div. Fish and Game, Fish Boll.
no. 68, 154 pp., Ill figs., 1 pi.
THE FOOD OF YOUNG LARGEMOUTH BLACK BASS
(MICROPTEKUS SALMOIDES)
IN CLEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA1
By Garth I. Murphy
Bureau of Fish Conservation
California Division of Fish and Game
INTRODUCTION
This study was undertaken to ascertain the mid-summer feeding
habits of black bass of the year in Clear Lake, Lake County. A description
of the feeding habits with increasing size of the fish was sought. In addi-
tion it was desired to learn the forage species most utilized by the bass,
and whether or not cannibalism within the year class existed to an
appreciable extent.
MATERIAL
The collections used in this study were seigned from Clear Lake
during the period Augusl LO-12, 1948, using a 40-foot by 6-foot, four to
the inch mesh seine. All collecting was done along the five-mile stretch
of shoreline between l.akeport and Rodman Slough, on the northwestern
end of the lake. Two hundred and sixty-four whole specimens were
preserved in formalin for later examination.
METHODS
Stomachs were removed from the preserved specimens, the contents
sorted, and volumetric determinations of the various classes of food
organisms made by water displacement in a graduated centrifuge tube.
All data from each specimen, including location of capture, length
of fish, and the classes of food organisms in the stomach, were entered
on "Speed Sort" cards. These have a series of holes in the margin. Data
are entered on the cards by cutting out a wedge to the margin from the
appropriate hole. A separate card is used for each specimen. Sorting is
accomplished by inserting a needle in the appropriate hole and lifting
the stack of cards vertically. All cards cut at that hole then drop out of
the stack. This technique is used to sort the cards for any attribute of
the specimens that has been entered. Considerable time is saved by using
this system when dealing with multiple data on individual specimens,
especially when multiple tabulations of the data are needed. The time
required to enter the data on the cards is slight (about one minute per
card when five entries are made) and the entries could be readily made
by a clerk.
1 Submitted for publication March, 1949.
I 159 )
lid
( AMI ORN I A !-'lsll AND GAME
GENERAL ECOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA
The qios1 prominenl fish in the study area were Largemouth black
bass i Wicropterus salmoides) bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), sculpins
foil us sp.), and greaser blackfish (Orthodon microti -pidnlns). Black
bass of the year averaged 29 per seine haul; bluegill, intermediates (in
this case, mainly fish of the L947 batch i, and fry, averaged 77 per haul ;
blackfish averaged around eighl per haul (exad counts were not made) ;
and sculpins averaged aboul eighl per haul I exact counts were not made).
There were large numbers of bluegill too small to be taken in the seine.
Sculpins could ao1 be expected to appear in their true relative abundance
since they live on the bottom and tend to escape capture by seine. Black-
fish were actually more abundant in the lake than the figures indicate
because the center of distribution of young of the year was farther
offshore than the area in which the seine hauls were made, i.e., over 40 feet.
Insect f Is. particularly larval midges and corixids (all instars),
and zooplankton were abundant, judging from gross observations. In
general, the food situation at the time was such that an abundance of the
three types of food (fish, insects, and plankton) existed and presumably
young bass were able to exercise choice in selecting their diet.
FOOD OF THE BASS
Table 1 gives the length frequencies of the specimens used. It does
not reflect the size composition of the bass population because selection
was exercised in order to obtain adequate representation from the various
size classes. It does, however, represent the range of sizes of the bass of
the year at the time the collections were made.
TABLE 1
Length Frequencies in Inches of Largemouth Bass Used in Food Study
Length class1 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1
No. specimens— .__ 8 22 12 26 46 43 21 13 11 13
Length class1 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9 4.1 4.3 4.5 4.7
No. specimens 9 7 114 4 6 2 1
1 The figures given are the lower limit* of the respective classes. Fork length
was used.
Table 2 indicates the various types of food consumed by the bass,
and gives an adequate picture of the relative importance of each food
class in the diet.
TABLE 2
Food Classes Consumed by Largemouth Bass. Their Frequency of
Occurrence and Total Volume
Class
Fishes
Blackfish
Bluegill
Sculpin
Carp (Cyprinus carpioj
Unidentified 24
( Jrustacea
Water Fle;i-
(Cladocera) ."">•".
Scuds (Gammarids) 35
Fre-
Vol-
quency
ume
28
37.8cc
6
3.1ec
15
8.8cc
1
l.Occ
7.2cc
1.32cc
0.44cc
Class
Insect. -i
Water Boatmen
i ( !orixidae I 142
Damsel Flies (Odonata)
May Fly (Ephemeridae)
Ply Larvae (Diptera)
.Midge pupae
(Chironomidae)
Unidentified
Miscellaneous
Invertebrates 8 0.14cc
Empty 10
Fre-
Vol-
quency
ume
142
6.04cc
32
1.38cc
) 8
ll.OS.r
38
0.40cc
27
1.87cc
6
0.15ce
FOOD OF LABGEMOUTH BLACK BASS 161
Figure 44 indicates the relative importance of each major class of
food to the various size groups of bass. The curves in Figure 1, although
based on frequency of occurrence, indicate rather closely the actual
importance of each class of food to the fish, in terms of volume of food.
Plankton was an important food for fish below two inches in length,
though decreasing in importance as the fish approached two inches in
length. From 1.8 to 2.8 inches in length, insects were the most important
dietary item, and from three inches upward fish were the only item taken
in any significant amount. Generally, specimens larger than three inches
in length that had taken foods other than fish had fish in their stomachs
too, indicating thai such items were incidental in Their diet.
NUMBER OF SPECIMENS
8 22 12 26 46 43 21 13 1 1
13
18
17 10 3
1 [ -- i ■ i i ■ ■ ■
„. — *
1
i
i i '
100
^»^
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^^\^ ^^
90
"
80
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r Ion
V \ /
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-
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t
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.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 26 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.8 4.2 4.6
LENGTH-INCHES
Figure 4 4. Composition of the stomach contents of young largemouth bass. The figures
representing size are the lower limits of the classes
This transition in feeding habits is regarded as a natural change
brought on by the choice of the individual fish. As pointed out earlier, all
types of potential bass food were abundant in the area, making it possible
for the bass to select the preferred food ;is opposed to limitations of sup-
ply dictating the selection.
Referring to Table 2, it is of interest to note the relative unim-
portance of bluegill in the diet. Judging by the composition of the seine
haul catches, bluegill were the most important available forage fish. The
hatch of the year ranging up to three-fourths inch in length was abun-
dant while young blackfish were scarce. Young blackfish are probably
more available than bluegill, since they inhabit the littoral zone, but are
not closely associated with cover, while young bluegill tend to remain
closely associated with plant cover. In addition, there may be a preference
factor. Blackfish are a slender, fine scaled, smooth minnow, as opposed to
the deepbodied, prickly bluegill. As an illustration of the consumability
of young blackfish, a 2.4-inch partially digested blackfish was found in a
4.1-inch bass. The importance of blackfish as a forage fish as indicated
2—7140
162 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
by the data herein presented is substantiated by spot checks on the
stomach contents of young and adult bass in other sections of the lake,
indicating that blackfish were the forage fish taken in greatest numbers
during the last half of the summer season.
The frequency of seulpins in the bass diet (Table 2) was unexpected.
These fish are not readily captured by seine since they adhere to the bot-
tom, making seine haul estimates of their relative abundance unreliable.
However, the data in Table 2 indicate that they play an important role
in the littoral economy of Clear Lake.
No evidence of interyear class predation was obtained, though in
some eases over seventy bass were captured in one seine haul, and the
composition of the catch indicated that smaller bass were the most
abundant food available to the larger bass. Probably the same factors,
availability and desirability, that mitigated against the full utilization of
young bluegill, operated in the case of smaller bass.
DISCUSSION
This study indicates that bluegill fry are not an important item of
bass food in Clear Lake, though relatively abundant at the time the study
was made. This is in opposition to experience in southern farm ponds,
where bluegill constitute the chief bass forage. One factor relative to the
usefulness of bluegill as forage fish in Clear Lake is the fact that they
spawn about 1 to 1^ months later than the bass, due to their higher tem-
perature requirement. Blackfish and other eyprinid forage fish spawn
earlier than or about the same time as bass. In the absence of the fry of
these fish, the young bass and seulpins must bear the brunt of the preda-
tion from older fish until the appearance of the bluegill hatch. Under
such circumstances, one would expect a lower survival of bass to the
fingerling stage. In 1947 the eyprinid spawning was a virtual failure, and
bass of the year at fingerling size were only about one-eighth as abundant
as during 1948.
Since blackfish are a lake spawning fish and since preliminary studies
indicate that they are plankton feeders, they may be extremely valuable
as forage fish in fluctuating reservoirs whose economy is almost solely
dependent on plankton, just as the gizzard shad supplies forage in mid-
western and southern reservoirs.
Cooper (1936) and Ohio Division of Conservation (1925) show a
transition of feeding habits of young bass similar to that herein described,
indicating the feeding pattern in Clear Lake is a normal one under
environmental conditions favorable to the exercise of feeding choice by
the bass. The work of Cooper (1936) was carried out under artificial
rearing pond conditions and there are indications that the foods con-
sumed by his specimens were to some extent forced on the fish by
environmental limitations.
This study furnishes clues to the food picture that must be pro-
vided bass in nature and in rearing ponds if satisfactory production
is to be obtained. The most important factor appears to be the provision
of a supply of suitable-sized forage fish when the fingerlings reach 2.5
to 3 inches in length.
FOOD OF LARGEMOUTH BLACK BASS 163
SUMMARY
1. The stomachs of 264 largemouth black bass of the year, collected
from the northwest shore of Clear Lake during the period August 10-12,
1948, were examined.
2. The section of the lake from which the specimens were collected
presented the bass with an abundance of the three main classes of food ;
namely, plankton, insects, and forage fish. It appears in all probability
that selection of diet by the bass was a matter of choice and not environ-
mental limitation.
3. Plankton and small insects were the chief foods of bass below 1.8
inches in length ; insects the chief food of those between 1.8 and 2.8 inches ;
and fish almost the exclusive food of specimens over 2.8 inches in length.
4. Greaser blackfish were the most important forage fish taken, and
corixids the most important insect food. Preliminary indications are that
greaser blackfish may prove to be a desirable forage fish in fluctuating
reservoirs.
5. No evidence of interyear class predation in bass of the year was
detected.
Literature Cited
Cooper, G. P.
1937. Food habits, rate of growth and cannibalism of young largemouth bass
(Aplites salmoides) in state-operated rearing ponds in Michigan during 1935.
Trans. Am. Fish. Soc, vol. 66, 1936, pp. 242-266.
Ohio Division of Conservation
1925. The food of young large- and small-mouth black bass in Ohio. Ohio Division
of Conservation, Bureau of Scientific Research, Bull. 10, 1925, 2 pp. mimeo-
graphed.
AGE AND LENGTH COMPOSITION OF THE SAR
DINE CATCH OFF THE PACIFIC COAST
OF THE UNITED STATES AND
CANADA IN 1948-49 x
By Frances E. Felin 2
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Julius B. Phillips and Anita E. Daugherty
California Division of Fish and Game
This is a third report on age and length composition of the sardine
(Sardinops caerulea) catch off the Pacific Coast of the United States and
Canada and covers the 1948-49 season.
Methods of sampling; the catch and determination of ages were con-
tinued in the same manner as formerly reported (Felin and Phillips,
1948).
In addition to the regular commercial fishing season of 1948-49 the
California interseasonal fisheries at Monterey and San Pedro were
sampled in 1948. For Monterey this interseason extended from February
16, 1948, to July 31, 1948, 'i.e., from the close of the regular 1947-48
season to the start of the 1948-49 season. San Pedro interseason fishing
was carried on from March 2 to September 30, 1948. However, in Mon-
terey no samples were taken during the "March" and "April" lunar
months ; and in San Pedro none were taken during ' ' June ' ' and ' ' July. ' '
For interseason fisheries age and length composition, estimated
numbers of fish caught, mean lengths and standard error of the means
of each year-class are presented in Tables 1 through 4.
For the regular season, Tables 5 through 7 give age and length
composition in Oregon. No samples were obtained from the other Pacific
Northwest ports in Washington and British Columbia where no sardine
landings of any consequence were recorded. Tables 8 through 10 show
similarly the same data for California ports together with the Pacific
Northwest summary and a summary for the entire coast. Number of fish,
mean length, and standard error of the mean of each year-class in the
samples for 1948-49 by region of catch are given in Table 11. Calendar
dates for lunar months in the 1948 interseason and 1948-49 season are
given in Table 12. Table 13 gives age composition of the catch in terms
of numbers of fish caught in the Pacific Northwest and in California. As
in the 1947-48 season, no samples were taken of the very small landings
at San Francisco.
Estimates of age from scales were made by the following biologists i
Kenneth H. Mosher and Frances E. Felin of the U. S. Fish and "Wildlife
Service ; J. B. Phillips and Anita E. Daugherty of the California Division
1 Submitted for publication April, 1948.
2 Published by permission of the Director, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
( 165)
L66
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
130'
I2S1
I20c
50c
45°-
4<f
35'
BRITISH COLUMBIA
50*
45c
40°
35°
130'
125
120'
Figure 45. Sardine fishing areas. VII-XIII, areas in the Pacific Northwest fishery.
(Areas V and VI off Oregon also were fished in 1948 and are of the same magnitude
as areas VII and VIII.) A, San Francisco-Monterey fishing grounds. B. Southern Cali-
fornia fishing grounds
SARDINE CATCH OFF PACIFIC COAST 167
of Fish and Game. The results of the determinations of age for the 1948-
49 season are presented without interpretation.
We wish to thank the other agencies, the Fisheries Research Board
of Canada, the Washington State Department of Fisheries, and the Fish
Commission of Oregon for their continued cooperation in this program.
The help of all those persons of the several agencies who have aided in
the collection of scales, mounting of scale samples and in processing the
data is gratefully acknowledged.
References
Felin, Frances E., and J. B. Phillips
1948. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of the
United States and Canada, 1941-42 through 1946-47. Calif. Div. Fish and
Game, Fish. Bull. no. 69, 122 pp.
Mosher, Kenneth H., Frances E. Felin, and J. B. Phillips.
1949. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of the
United States and Canada in 1947-48. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 35, pp. 15-40.
His
CALIFORNIA K I > 1 1 WD GAME
TABLE 1
Length Composition of All Year-Classes for Monterey 1948 Interseason
Year-classes
Total
Ixricth mm.
1917
1946
1945
1939
M ft' M F T
M F T M F T
M F T
M F T
124
1 »
• ... l l
126
:::
128
1 1
l l
130
.
132
134
136
138 1 1
1 ... 1
140
142 1
l ... l
144
2 1 3
................
2 1 3
146 ..
1 ... 1
3 1 4
5 2 7
3 4 7
9 4 13
1 ... 1
148
3 1 4
150
5 2 7
152
3 4 7
154
9 4 13
156 9 5 14
9 5 14
158 11 7 18
i i
i i
11 8 19
160 12 12 24
12 13 25
162 15 15 30
164 12 23
15 15 30
2 2
14 11 25
166
10 14 24 1 1
11 14 25
168
9 9 18 ■ ... 2 2
16 12 28 1 2 3
16 10 26 ... 1 1
14 10 24
9 11 20
170
17 14 31
172
1 1
16 12 28
174
16 10 26
176
11 7 18
7 7 14
8 7 15
1 5 6
3 ... 3
1 1 2
1 1 2
2 1 3
1 1 2
4 ... 4
3 ... 3
1 1 2
12 8 20
178
9 8 17
180
9 8 17
182
1 1
5 6 11
184
6 ... 6
186
2 2 4
188
1 4 5
1 1 2
1 4 5
190
2 2
1 3 4
192 1 1
1 ... 1
194. .
196 ..
1 1
1 1
198--.
1 3 4
_
1 3 4
200
202.... 1 _.. 1 i 1 ... 1
204...
2 ... 2
206...
208...
210...
1 ... 1
1 ... 1
212..
214
1 1
1 1
216
218
1 1 2
1 1 2
272
! ... i i
1 1
Totals
180 148 328
24 20 44 I 2 4 6
1 ... 1 1
206 173 379
SARDIXK CATCH OFF PACIFIC COAST
169
TABLE 2
Length Composition of All Year-Classes for San Pedro 1948 Interseason
Year-classes
Total
length
mm.
1947
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
M F T
M F T
M F T
M F T
M FT M F T
M F T
154
... 1 1
1 1
156
158
160
1 ... 1
1 ... 1
1 ... 1
6 6 12
7 3 10
12 7 19
15 12 27
13 19 32
21 23 44
11 23 34
6 8 14
2 5 7
3 5 8
1 2 3
2 3 5
7 11 18
11 2 13
9 6 15
9 12 21
4 12 16
4 3 7
4 12 16
3 7 10
1 1 2
1 3 4
1 1
162
1 ... 1
2 2
164_
1 1
166
6 6 12
168
1 ... 1
8 3 11
170..
12 7 19
172 .
2 ... 2
17 12 29
174
1 1 2
1 ... 1
14 20 34
176
22 23 45
178..
11 23 34
ISO
6 8 14
182...
2 ... 2
... 1 1
1 1 2
5 6 11
184
3 6 9
186
1 2 3
188
1 ... 1
1 ... 1
... 1 1
3 3 6
190
8 11 19
192
... 1 1
2 ... 2
... 1 1
2 1 3
3 1 4
2 5 7
1 1 2
... 1 1
1 1 2
1 2 3
1 1 2
1 ... 1
1 1
11 4 15
194
11 6 17
196...
1 ... 1
... 1 1
10 13 23
198
6 14 20
200
7 4 11
202.. __
... 1 1
1 ... 1
6 18 24
204
5 8 13
206
1 2 3
208
2 4 6
210.. _
... 1 1
2 1 3
... 1 1
1 4 5
212
... 2 2
3 4 7
214
1 1
216
1 1 2
... 1 1
1 1
1 3 4
218
1 ... 1
1 1 2
220
2 ... 2
2 2
222
1 1
1 1
224
i ... i
1 1
226
1 1
1 1
228
1 1
1 1
238
1 1
1 1
Totals...
8 2 10
155 188 3441
18 20 38
5 5 10
3 4 7
... 1 1
189 220 410'
Includes one fish, length unknown.
ITU
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SARDINE CATCH OFF PACIFIC COAST
m
TABLE 4
Number of Fish, Mean Length and Standard Error of the Mean for Each
Year-Class for Monterey and for San Pedro 1948 Interseason
Monterey
San Pedho
Year-class
No. M. S.E.
No. M. S.E.
1947
Male -. . . -.
180 166 .71
148 167 .82
328 166 .51
24 182 2.30
20 181 2.83
44 182 1.78
2 210 8.00
4 ion 11.49
6 201 8.04
8 177 3.52
Female -- . - ..
2 188 4.00
Totals...
10 179 3.20
1946
Male _
Female ..
Totals
155 181 .92
188 184 .89
3441 182 .64
1945
Male
18 199 2.86
Female
Totals
20 204 2.82
38 202 2.01
1944
Male
5 208 7.16
Female . . . - - - .
5 208 3.31
Totals
10 208 2.30
1943
Male
3 221 1.33
Female . - .
4 220 6.08
Totals
7 221 3.29
1942
Male
Female .
1 222
Totals
1 222
1939
Male
Female
1 272
1 272
Totals
1 Includes one fish, length unknown.
17:
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TABLE 11
Number of Fish. Mean Length, and Standard Error of the Mean for Each
Year-Class in 1948-49 by Region of Catch
Pacific
Northwest1
California
Year-class
Monterey2
San Pedro
No. M. S.E.
No. M. S.E.
No. M. S.E.
1948
Male
1 158
1 158
1947
Male
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270 177 .82
612 178 .54
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31 198 1.48
60 197 1.28
9 228 2.22
15 225 2.53
24 226 1.78
4 227 2.65
2 238
6 231 2.85
1 258
26 188 1.72
Female
33 186 2.48
Totals
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1946
Male
174 197 .44
Female . .
1 202 ....
1 202 ....
1 246 ....
1 256 ....
2 251 5.00
6 259 3.22
7 257 1.17
13 258 1.67
21 252 1.74
23 258 1.19
44 255 1.10
23 256 1.88
21 262 1.74
44 258 1.34
11 254 3.03
17 262 1.70
28 259 1.73
14 261 1.22
27 263 1.37
41 262 .98
8 264 3.70
8 262 2 64
16 264 2 24
1 274
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Totals .
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1945
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Female
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Totals .
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1944
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Female .
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33 213 1.73
1943
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Female
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1 258 ....
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1942
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1941
Male
Female
1940
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Female .
Totals. _-
1939
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Female . .
Totals
1938
Male .
Female _ . _ ___
Totals
1 274
1 Samples from Oregon only.
2 Monterey represented by local fish only. Fish trucked from Southern California not sampled at Monterey.
TABLE 12
Calendar Dates of Lunar Months for the 1948 Interseason
and 1948-49 Season
"April" March 26- April 23 "October'" September 18-October 16
"May" April 24-May 23 "November"___October 17-Xovember 15
"June" May 24-June 21 "December" November 16-December 14
"July" June 22-July 21 "January" December 15-January 13
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182
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Ci-ip-i<
THE 1948 49 OUTBREAK OF FOWL CHOLERA IN
BIRDS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES1
By MERTON N. Rosen 2 and ABTHUB I. BlSCHOFF s
INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY
Fowl cholera is a disease commonly associated with chickens, turkeys,
and other domestic poultry. The losses in ducklings on duck ranches in
the State of Rhode Island are heavy, according to Hagan (1943). How-
ever, the disease has been thought to be decreasing in incidence in the
United States, especially in the heavy poultry sections of the midwest.
The records of the Disease Laboratory of the California Division of
Pish and Game recognized the occurrence of fowl cholera in wild ducks
circa January, li)44. At that time Herman visited the Bethel Tract near
Oakley and observed 1.000 dead coots. This outbreak occurred imme-
diately following losses of domestic fowl in the area. There are indications
that fowl cholera had occurred in wild ducks in the Alt. Eden area of
South San Francisco Bay just prior to Herman's report of 1944. No
records of the disease in wild birds during 1945 and 1946 were obtain-
able; however, farmers in the delta and south bay areas reported exten-
sive waterfowl losses during those years. The fish and game records
again refer to fowl cholera outbreaks in 1947 and 1948 from the Alviso
area to the slough and island areas of the San Joaquin Delta.
CAUSATIVE ORGANISM
The organism responsible for fowl cholera is the small, oval, gram-
negative bacterium, Pasteurella multocida. When it is seen in a blood
smear strained by Wright's method, it is distinctly bipolar; Pasteur
referred to it as the "figure of eight" bacillus. Some strains of the
organism will grow with more or less difficulty on agar. The more virulent
bacilli are the more fastidious in that they require agar enriched with
blood or serum for growth. The strain isolated during the 1949 epizootic
by the authors would grow best on a blood or serum enriched medium.
There are three types of colonies : The fluorescent is associated with
epizootics of fowl cholera; the blue type occurs where the disease is
enzootic or chronic ; and a third intermediate type seems to be connected
with outbreaks of severe cholera. The colonies isolated in the recent out-
break were of the last type.
The biochemical reactions are in dispute, and some authors feel that
sugar fermentation capabilities can be correlated with virulence of the
'Submitted for publication April, 1949.
- Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, California Project 35R. The authors
wish to express their appreciation for the excellent cooperation freely given by Pish
and (lame Wardens Holladay, Bushey, and Cole and other personnel of the California
Division of Fish and Came, to the personnel of the Leslie Salt Company and others who
cooperated in this study.
( 185 )
186 < \I.I! OKMA PISH AND CAME
strain, whereas other authors feel thai the biochemical reactions ;u-e con-
nected with hos! specificity. The virulence of the organism isolated from
a canvas-back duck at Lake Merritt is known by the rapidity and unfail-
ing effed with which death overtakes any experimental animal which
ingests it. This strain does not ferment lactose, but docs ferment glucose,
arabinose, dulcitol, and xylose -with production of acid but not gas. It
produces indol after 48 hours incubation.
SYMPTOMS
In the explosive type of outbreak in poultry, all birds may be appar-
ently healthy at night, but many may be found dead under the roosts on
the following morning. No indicative symptoms precede death. This also
was found to be the case in the beginning of the recent fowl cholera
epizootic. Xo sick waterfowl could be seen for a period of one week to
ten days after the onset of the disease. The birds were observed either in
normal flight or loafing attitude, or else the carcasses were seen floating
on the ponds or lying along the shoreline. After the first seven to ten
days, a few, and later more and more waterfowl could be seen demon-
statin, u- various symptoms. Indeed, the symptoms started by a few ducks
appearing to be in a stupor, later becoming more diversified in such
extremes as the inability to get off the water or an uncontrolled tumbling
while in flight. Two clucks were observed gliding in for landings and
folded their wings fully twenty feet above the water, crashing with great
geysers of spray. Many of the wild birds slumped on the shore could be
approached and picked up without showing any effort to escape. Others
waddled away as best they could in their condition. Many birds were
Figure 16. Typical picture of severe bacteremia in blood smear of
duck after death from fowl cholorea. Arrows show characteristic "fig-
ure 8" organisms. X 3,000. Photo bu John Azeredo
FOWL CHOLERA 187
unable to hold up their heads, exhibiting the symptoms usually associated
with botulism ; if they were in shallow water, several would die of drown-
ing before death from the disease could occur. Some sick coots and gulls
did not attempt to get away but used the only defense remaining : snap-
ping at the collectors. As the disease progressed diarrhea became more
frequent in the waterfowl, producing watery greenish droppings. This
condition is indicative of any disease affecting the intestinal tract.
PATHOLOGY
Minute hemorrhages occur on most of the mucous membranes. These
petechial hemorrhages are most noticeable on the epicardium and myocar-
dium. Focal necrosis occurs in the liver in the form of pinhead white or
grey specks, this condition occurring with more frequency when the
virulence of the organism has dropped in the last stages of an epizootic
or the resistance of the host has been increased so that a longer course of
disease is possible within the bird. Likewise, the tail end of the outbreak
is indicated by the undulating flight of the ducks which is caused by an
otitis media, with a pus formation in the middle ear frequently extending
through the canals leading through the inner ear to the base of the brain.
Septicemia is the result of blood vessel invasion by myriads of organisms :
A true bacteremia is seen in the illustration (Fig. 46).
TRANSMISSION AND EPIDEMIOLOGY
Biester and Schwarte (1948) state that the infection is passed off by
diseased birds through their excrement which contaminates soil, food and
water. Gulls have been observed eating carcasses of other birds that have
died of fowl cholera. Undoubtedly this scavenger practice contributes
greatly to the rapid and widespread transmission of the disease. Although
several authors maintain that feeding infectious material rarely produces
the disease, 38 consecutive passages in cools were successful when employ-
ing intrapharyngeal instillation of a heart blood saline mixture. The coots
would die within eight hours. However, the initial explosive outbreak of
the disease remains unexplained by the above observations. It has been
determined that the organism is harbored by apparently healthy ani-
mals in their respiratory tract. Merchant (1940) claims that droplet infec-
tion is of significance. Pritchet et al. (1930, 1932) isolated the infectious
agent from the upper respiratory tract of supposedly normal birds and
produced typical cholera in susceptible fowl. In Holland, Van der Hurk
(1946) observed an epizootic of cholera that started with the arrival of
wild ducks and caused a heavy mortality not only among their own
numbers but to the domestic poultry of the country.
A mouse inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.5 cc. of water taken
from a pond where many waterfowl had died, succumbed four hours after
inoculation with prior symptoms of dyspnea and lacrimation. A blood
smear revealed the typical bipolar organisms of fowl cholera. Confirma-
tion was obtained by isolation of a pure culture of the organism. Fresh
flights of ducks continued to pour into this particular pond. Gulls con-
gregated along the shore devouring the carcasses of the mudhens and
ducks. A cat was found dead with true secondary infection when the
remains of a coot were found in his stomach.
Coots made up the greatest number of dead birds. Apparently the
mudhen is more susceptible than any other waterfowl. In the outbreaks
188 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
observed by the authors, these birds made up from 70 to TOO percent of
the mortality. Ducks of various species made up 10 to 20 percent of tbe
total deaths, with gulls following closely with a mortality of 5 to 10 per-
cent. ( If the ducks the spoonbill was the most susceptible and the mallards
were the least susceptible. Widgeon followed closely behind the spoonbill
in high mortality rate, with the canvasback, teal, and sprig following in
that sequence. A few shorebirds, phalarope, blue heron, tern, and sand-
piper, also died of the disease. Tbe so-called "susceptibility" is probably
due to feeding habits rather than any innate decrease in resistance or
relative immunity. The mortality rates are based on an equal distribution
of numbers of the different species. It is felt that the gull is fairly resistant
because they were the first sick birds observed after the start of the
epizootic, and a few were observed to remain alive for a period of twenty-
tour hours while other birds were dying in less than ten hours. Many sick
gulls were seen gliding in flight for two or three miles and landing in
distant ponds. The gull movement may well be one of the principal modes
of transmitting the disease to new areas. The authors have observed the
diseased gulls in areas prior to death of any waterfowl.
On the seventh of December, 1948, the laboratory was notified that
ducks were dying in the vicinity of Alviso. Experimental mice were
inoculated with heart blood of the dead ducks. Within four hours pure
culture material of Pasteurella multocida was obtained from the blood
stream. Domestic ducks were inoculated with the infectious material and
the virulence of the organism was established with the death of the
ducks in from six to eight hours. The site of the outbreak was immediately
adjacent to the San Jose garbage dumps where hundreds of gulls con-
gregated to eat the offal. With the realization that this epornitic had the
potential to devastate large numbers of ducks through its high virulence
and by ease of transmission through the large number of gulls that were
in the area which would be succumbing to the disease, a reconnaissance
wras made of the duck ponds to the north of Alviso. No evidence of north-
ward spread of fowl cholera could be found in the Irvington and Newark
areas at the time.
At the start of the second week of the epizootic, it was found that
fowl cholera was killing ducks, coots, and gulls beyond Irvington —
approximately six miles north of the initial point at Alviso. More and
more ponds were being flooded around Alviso and to the north as far
as Alvarado (15 miles airline from the focal point), to attract ducks as
the forthcoming hunting season grew7 nearer. This not only provided
impetus for new flights to land but served to scatter those birds exposed
to the disease. "Within ten days of the initial outbreak, coots by the
hundreds were being picked up near the Leslie salt ponds at Newyark. One
small pond of six acre-feet yielded a collection of six hundred dead ducks
just a few days after the disease broke out on it. The ponds involved in
the initial outbreak continued to cause the death of thirty to forty ducks
per day. Several thousand ducks were succumbing to fowl cholera as the
second half of the duck season began. The northward spread continued
with reports of dead ducks extending up the west side of the bay from
Sunnyvale to Millbrae. Storms and hunting pressure seem to have
lessened the mortality about Alviso temporarily. Ducks scattered before
the concentrated assault of the sportsmen. Some of the waterfowl
apparently sought refuge in the sanctuary of Lake Merritt in Oakland.
FOWL CHOLERA
189
The disease started in this city lake with fifteen to twenty ducks per day
being' picked up. A decline in mortality to seven per day two weeks after
the onset of the epizootic, and then in three weeks a sudden increase to 30
ducks a day mortality occurred. The losses continued until the beginning
of April.
Figure 47. The northward spread of fowl cholera in wild birds
during the 1948-49 outbreak
The death wave continued to fan out as illustrated in the accom-
panying map. Near Prospect and Ryer Islands on the Rio Farms of the
delta 15 ducks were picked up in one hour along a drainage ditch. Mor-
tality in this area dropped following the close of the season, and by the
1!>() . Al.l! <>i;\IA PISH AND GAME
end of January an all-day search resulted in finding 50 coots, some of
which were very much decomposed. On the north and west the disease con-
tinued by breaking out at Conn Lake in Napa County on about January
25th. This outbreak involved a1 least one thousand five hundred water-
fowl. DO percent of which were coots. The disease waned about the middle
of February.
An outbreak of cholera was investigated in the area south of Walnut
Grove and west of Lodi in which the losses were primarily swans with
very few coots and apparently no ducks. Approximately one hundred
ca rcasses were observed. How the disease was transmitted to these birds is
a matter of conjecture. The theory that apparently healthy birds may
carry the organism and succumb to it when the resistance of the host is
lowered may account for this outbreak.
The northward migration of the waterfowl leaving the diseased areas
terminated reports of losses from fowl cholera. Observers of the Division
of Fish and Game stationed in the Sacramento Valley noted the arrival
of the northward migrating birds, and, warned of the possibility of fowl
cholera being transmitted along the flyway, kept a careful watch for the
disease.*
CONTROL AND PREVENTION
In domestic poultry, when confronted with a severe outbreak result-
ing in heavy losses, the recommended procedure is depopulation except
where the disease is so well established as to present a problem of recur-
rence. The premises should not be repopulated until the natural purifica-
tion of sun and air has had enough time to take effect. Draining of water
is a recommended procedure. All carcasses should be carefully collected
and burned. Disinfectant is applied to the walls, roosts, nests, feed and
water containers as liquor cresolis, formalin, or lye.
Some of the above procedures have an analogy in fowl cholera as it
occurs in the wild as modified by practicability and economic con-
siderations.
The immediate suggestion to cooperating individuals such as care-
takers of private or commercial duck clubs, farmers, and sportsmen is to
pick up all carcasses and effectively dispose of them by burning. The
gross contamination of the environment and the continually increasing
concentration of organisms is thereby combatted to some extent.
As the initial confirmed diagnosis of fowl cholera was made at the
four ponds near Alviso, and based on the reproduction of the disease in
mice through the inoculation of the pond water, a recommendation was
made that those particular ponds serving as the infectious focal point
be drained on an experimental basis. It was thought that this procedure
would effectively dispose of the contaminated water and prevent fresh
flights of ducks from entering the diseased area. The owner of one of the
ponds complied with the request and drained all water from his ponds.
An owner of a duck pond 200 feet distant from these drained, agreed to
act as the control base and retain his ponds in their flooded state since
his pump did not have the capacity to refill his pond in time for the
* Since this manuscript was prepared the authors learned of mortality among
ducks at the Sacramento Waterfowl Refuge of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service near
Willows, California. The outbreak apparently reached its peak about March 21st. An
estimated 2,000 birds were on the pond where the losses occurred. Between 100 and 150
ducks succumbed. A diagnosis of fowl cholera was made on a sample of these birds by
the pathology laboratory of the California Bureau of Animal Industry.
FOWL CHOLERA 191
opening of the second half of the duck season. He continued to pick up
from thirty to forty dead ducks each day.
A concentration of 1 :5000 solution of copper sulfate was mixed with
infectious blood in a test tube. Experimental animals were inoculated
with the mixture after intervals of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and one hour.
Those birds injected with the 15- and 30-minute mixtures succumbed
within a few hours after treatment whereas those inoculated with the
hour mixture survived. The experiment was carried into the field with
the procurement of 4,600 pounds of copper sulfate. Two tons were dis-
solved in drums with the aid of hydrochloric acid and mixed with water
that was refilling the ponds that had been drained. Six hundred pounds
were used to treat the water in an infected pond near Sunnyvale. Three
days after treatment, water samples were collected and concentrated in
an ultracentrifuge at 17,000 revolutions per minute. The concentrates
were inoculated into mice without effect. Inasmuch as this treated water
had been fresh and no further deaths had occurred between the time of
treatment and the procurement of samples for concentration, a conclu-
sion as to the efficacy of this experiment cannot be drawn. A survey of
the south bay disease areas disclosed a small residue of infection in the
coots and gulls, but the severity of the initial in lection had disappeared.
Storms and hunting pressure and with the attendant movement of duck
populations, possible decline of virulence in the organism had brought
about a temporary lowering of the mortality rate.
On being apprised of the appearance of fowl cholera in Lake Merritt,
the cooperation of the City of Oakland was solicited, in order that the
lake might be flushed out by opening the flood gates leading into the
estuary and bay. Salt water was allowed to flow into the lake by letting
the flood gates remain open during high tide. The disease continued with
a slight decrease in mortality. This procedure was initiated with the hope
that a noticeable effect of salt water on the organism would result, based
on the observation that while fresh water ponds near Alviso had heavy
losses of waterfowl upon them, the salt water ponds and marshes had no
observable losses.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
An epizootic of fowl cholera started during the first week of Decem-
ber, 1948, on fresh water ponds at the south end of San Francisco Bay
near Alviso. This outbreak was thought to be a continuation of similar
ones which had occurred during the winter of each of the preceding
four years.
The causative organism was a virulent strain of Pasteurella multo-
cida that would grow best on a blood or serum enriched medium. It
proved to be of the intermediate or Group III type in that it did not
ferment lactose, but fermented glucose, arabinose, dulcitol, and xylose
with the production of acid but no gas. Characteristically, indol was
produced.
At the beginning of the outbreak no symptoms were observed in the
waterfowl : they were either dead or alive. Symptoms of the disease
became apparent during the second week of the epizootic with sick birds
huddled on the shoreline unable to fly, several drowning in shallow water
through the inability to hold up their heads, or tumbling or undulating
in flight. Greenish diarrhea became prominent among the birds slumped
I'll' CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
along llif shoreline. Autopsied ducks showed minute hemorrhage of the
heart with some reddening of the intestinal traet. In the last stages of
the outbreak some swans had the pin-point, grey necrotic foci in the
liver. Microscopically, the multitudes of bacteria in the blood stream
could be easily demonstrated.
The scavenger habits of gulls eating the carcasses of waterfowl that
had died of the disease seemed to contribute greatly to the rapid and
widespread transmission of the disease. Proof of the infectivity of the
water was obtained by the death of a mouse that had been inoculated
intraperitoneal ly with 0.5 ec. of water taken from a pond where many
waterfowl had died.
The spread of the epizootic was traced from the focal point at Alviso
gradually north through Lake Merritt and on up through the delta.
Approximately forty thousand waterfowl perished from the disease
before the northward migration coincided with the end of reports of
waterfowd losses.
Acting on the procedures followed by the poultry industry, carcasses
were picked up by cooperating individuals and agencies and burned.
Depopulation and cleansing of premises were attempted by drainage of
a feAv ponds to prevent fresh flights of ducks from entering those ponds
and by disposing of the contaminated water. Experimentally, 4,600
pounds of copper sulfate were used to treat three ponds. The results of
this procedure are questionable due to factors which came into play
immediately after application. As the disease started in Lake Merritt, the
flood gates were opened with the hope that contaminated water would
flow out and any disinfectant action that salt wTater might have could
take effect with the introduction of bay water during high tide. No notice-
able effect resulted from this action.
All of the experimental control measures were performed under
pressure of the epizootic. Circumstantial evidence indicates possible
value to the measures applied during the outbreak. Investigations and
research are continuing on fowl cholera with the application of field
experiments in an effort to determine where the responsibility for initia-
tion of an outbreak lies, on control, and on other factors as they relate
to the disease.
References
Biester, H. E. and Sehwarte, L. H.
1948. Diseases of poultry. Iowa State Col. Press, Ames, Iowa. 1154 pp.
Hagan, W. A.
1943. The infectious diseases of domestic animals. Comstock Publ. Co., Ithaca.
X. Y. 665 pp.
Hurk, C. F. G. W. van der
1946. Aanteekeningen by de epizootie van vogel cholera over Nederland in het
najaar van 1945. Tijdschr. Diergeneesk, vol. 71, pp. 3G1-365.
Hntyra, F. and J. Marek and R. Manninger
1949. Diseases of domestic animals. Alexander Eger Inc., Chicago, 111., 3 vols.
Merchant, I. A.
1940. Veterinary bacteriology. Iowa State Coll. press. Ames, Iowa, 628 pp.
Pritchett, I. W., F. R. Beaudette and T. P. Hughes
1930. Epidemiology of fowl cholera, IV. Field observations of the "spontaneous''
disease. Jour. Exper. Med., vol. 51, p. 249.
Pritchett, I. W. and T. P. Hughes
1932. The epidemiology of fowl cholera. VI. The spread of epidemic and endemic
strains of Pasteurella avirida in laboratory populations of normal fowl. Jour.
Exper. Med., vol. 55, p. 71.
DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS ON MAMMALS AND
BIRDS BY THE CALIFORNIA DIVISION
OF FISH AND GAME1
Bj Cabltoh M. Herman - and Mebton X. Rosen :!
Bureau of Game Conservation
California Division of Fish and Cam.'
During the past 40 years the California Division of Fish and Game
has been as active in the study of wildlife diseases as any similar agency
in other states. Until recent years the work was intermittent and was dis-
continued at times for lack of funds or lack of adequately trained per-
sonnel. The present program has been in progress since July, 1942.
The earliest disease investigations by the California Division of Fish
and Game were undertaken during the period 1911-1913 when Frank C.
Clarke was assigned to study deer losses in the north coastal counties of
( Jalifornia and duck disease in the San Joaquin Valley.
Following these preliminary studies the program was renewed in
1928 under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Research. Dr. K. F. Meyer,
Director of the Hooper Foundation of the University of California
Medical School was appointed consulting pathologist. Dr. Earl C. O'Roke
was hired as parasitologist, Dr. Henry Van Roekel as pathologist and
Robert J. Irvine as chemist, in 1929 Paul II. Shaw became toxicologist.
In this same year Van Roekel and O'Roke resigned to accept positions in
the east. In 1930 Dr. M. Hobmaier was appointed pathologist and Gordon
II. True, Jr., was indirectly assigned to a temporary .position on the
staff' since part of his assigned duties were to study the relation of deer
to growing crops and part to investigate diseases of and their relation to
domestic livestock. In 1932 True was assigned to the Bureau of Game
Farms in charge of field production of game. Further personnel were not
employed by the division for investigations of parasites until the senior
author was appointed in July, 1942.
In July, 1933; the financial situation of the division made necessary
many extensive cuts in personnel and the entire disease program w^as dis-
continued. The toxicologist was maintained on the division staff but his
duties were primarily concerned with pollution investigations.
During this period, 1928-1932, the staff made contributions to our
knowledge of diseases in captive birds at state game farms, described a
malaria parasite of quail, and clarified our knowledge of duck disease in
California. The work on duck disease was undoubtedly the most outstand-
ing of this period. After much investigation on the possibilities of alkali
poisoning, the studies led to the diagnosis of type C botulism, confirming
the findings of the U. S. Biological Survey.
1 Submitted for publication April, 1949.
2 Parasitologist, in charge.
3 Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, California Project 35R.
( 193 )
4—7140
1!»4 i.M. II "KM \ PISB \\l> GAME
In 1938 the junior author, who had been working on the pollution
detail, was assigned to study botulism. This work was discontinued two
years later when Rosen was granted leave of absence for military duty.
In July, 1942, the senior author was appointed in charge of the disease
investigations of the Bureau of Game Conservation.
During the period 1928-1932, laboratory facilities were made avail-
able at the Hooper Foundation. In 1938 Rosen had available facilities at
t he Hooper Foundation but prior to his leave of absence laboratory faeili-
i it's were housed in a one-room structure on the pier at the Ferry Build-
ing in San Francisco. The program in 1942 was renewed with these inade-
quate facilities. In April, 1945, the U. S. Navy took over the location of
the laboratory and temporary quarters were obtained in the Life Sciences
Building on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley. In
August, 1945, the activities were moved to our present quarters in a
remodeled CCC Building on the campus in Strawberry Canyon. These
facilities are shared with the food habits study project 25R which is a
part of the federal aid program of the division.
Both staff and equipment of the disease investigations project have
been increased gradually until at present we have a good working unit.
Rosen returned in February, 1946, and is now senior bacteriologist.
Recently work has been divided and part of the program is carried as
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project California 35R, "A Study
of Diseases of Wildlife Species in California. " The staff for this phase of
work includes Merton N. Rosen, senior bacteriologist ; Arthur I. Bischoff ,
laboratory technician ; John Azevedo, laboratory assistant ; and Burke
Zane, laboratory helper. The last employee is on a lialf-time basis. The
remainder of the staff includes, Carlton M. Herman, parasitologist, in
charge ; Alvin Hightower, hunter and trapper ; Barry Tarshis and Kenji
Sayama, laboratory assistants on a half-time basis ; and Mildred I. Good-
man, intermediate stenographer-clerk.
TYPES OF INVESTIGATIONS
Several types of investigations are undertaken by the staff of the
laboratory. All of these have specific purposes for which they are designed.
Incidence studies are fundamental in determining the importance of
particular parasites or diseases. Methods of employing management prac-
tices in controlling disease is another phase of the work. The laboratory
may be employed as a service for cooperation with management of par-
ticular species or range in using certain testing methods. Control of dis-
ease under captive conditions such as the state game farms may be
employed, e.g. blood testing of breeding stock. Investigations can lead to
employment of field experiments and recommendations as a result of those
experiments. Primary examples are presented in the work that has been
and is being done.
One of the first projects undertaken in 1942 was a study of the
parasites of quail. One phase of our investigations on coccidia has been
completed and published, indicating that these intestinal protozoa are
of widespread occurrence in the wild birds. It was also determined that
these parasites take a toll of quail and chukar partridge at some of the
game farms. Studies are still in progress in an effort to determine the
factors involved governing the occurrence of this disease in the wild.
DISEASE INVESTIGATION- 195
In the study of blood protozoan parasites we have obtained a vast
amount of material. Blood smears have been procured from several
thousand individual quail, mostly trapped birds primarily collected as
part of other studies on this species. These data have been supplemented
by studies on captive quail at the various state game farms and experi-
ments at the laboratory. The earlier work of O'Roke indicated that the
louse fly LyricMa hirsuta is a possible vector and subsequently we have
implicated the large louse fly Stilbomctopa impressa as a carrier of the
Haemoproteus-malaria parasite. Very little of our data on this project
have reached publication pending clarification of several new forms
found and further statistical analysis of the information on hand.
Various phases of this study are still in progress and the program has
been expanded in some directions in an effort to clarify data obtained
in the earlier stages of our surveys and experiments.
No work has been done on botulism in the past few years because of its
diminished occurrence in most of California. The chief area where losses
have occurred in past years, Tulare Lake, has presented no problem since
the main body of water has been dried up.
Studies on fowl cholera have become our main concern in our investi-
gations of waterfowl disease. Potentially losses may become severe enough
to decimate seriously our present waterfowl population. Our chief efforts
are an attempt to determine the source of this infection and the mech-
anisms by which it is carried from one area to another or from one year to
the next and from this data to develop such control measures as may be
feasible.
Extensive work has been completed on studies of various diseases
and parasites of deer. The main problems confronting us now are to
determine methods of combatting stomach worm infections and various
other diseases that occur in these animals. During the recent dry years
so-called foot rot — infections involving the organism Spherophorus
necrophorus — has been the most evident disease and has taken a heavy
toll in several areas. Xow, with the advent of a wet winter, stomach
worms and other parasites have become predominant and are causing
losses, particularly in younger deer.
An extensive project is in progress to determine the blood picture
of deer, including blood chemistry, in the expectation of finding reliable
factors that can be used as an indicator of the animal's condition. It is
anticipated that the results of this study will give us a base that can be
used as an index of the state of nutrition of the deer as it relates to range
management, and incidentally classify the anemias that may occur
in these animals.
Perhaps the greatest progress has been made in our efforts at the
state-owned game farms. Pullorum disease (a bacterial disease of the
intestinal tract of gallinaceous birds known as bacillary white diarrhea)
is the number one problem of the domestic poultry of the State, and the
California Department of Agriculture and poultry industry are making
extensive efforts to keep this disease under control. Evidence of the infec-
tion in game farm pheasants led us to undertake a control program. Our
results indicate that this disease has been eradicated from all our game
farm units and constant check is being made to keep birds free of
this infection.
196 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Iii recent years avian type tuberculosis probably was among the
greatest causes of deaths occurring in adult pheasants and clmkars at
one of the game farm units. Management procedures employed to combat
this disease have apparently practically eliminated the infection and
cases of tuberculosis are now rare.
Experiments on the control of gapeworm infections in the game farm
birds are being attempted at the present time but have not progressed
sufficiently as yet to justify an analysis of the applied measures. Studies
are also in progress on so-called quail disease, ulcerative enteritis, which
takes a heavy toll of the game farm quail.
Various other projects have been undertaken or are in progress but
these either have not progressed sufficiently or are of a minor nature and
do not warrant detailed mention in this review.
SURVEYS AND DIAGNOSIS
One of the chief projects of the laboratory staff is the collection of
survey data to determine what parasites and diseases occur in our wild-
life, the incidence, prevalence and distribution of these infections in the
wild and their relative importance. It also is necessary to act as a service
unit in the diagnosis of losses which may occur from disease. These two
phases of our work are coordinated so that specimens obtained for diag-
nosis serve as the chief source of the material for survey data. This is
frequently supplemented by special studies, such as examination of
hunter-killed specimens and examination of specially trapped animals.
The findings under this procedure serve as the governing basis by which
the special research problems requiring investigation are determined. The
main success of this program depends on the cooperation of field per-
sonnel, particularly the patrol force who are constantly in the field and
in the best position to observe the problems as they arise. Members of the
field staff of the Bureau of Game Conservation also play a role in this
phase of our work and the men working on management programs and
predatory animal control have proved very helpful, particularly where
further specific data are needed to clarify a diagnosis or to obtain suffi-
cient survey material to present valid statistical information.
The procedure for handling such material varies considerably
according to circumstance. It is sometimes necessary to travel into the
field to collect sick specimens. At such times having an experienced
hunter and trapper assigned to our staff is of tremendous aid. The coop-
eration of members of the patrol force is extremely helpful at these times.
Frequently freshly dead specimens come into the possession of
wardens and require examination at the laboratory. These may be
brought into the laboratory or members of the laboratory staff may go
into the field to procure them.
In cases where specimens are to be shipped to the laboratory the
method of handling may be very important, The specimens may be
packed in borax powder, frozen in dry ice, preserved in formalin or
some other technique may be employed. The efficacy of any preserving
method depends on the use to which the laboratory must put the material
in order to make a diagnosis. No hard and fast rules of procedure can be
recommended for field personnel to follow in every case. It seems best
at present to advise the field personnel to contact the laboratory without
DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS
197
delay when specimens come to hand so that they may be informed of the
best method of handling. In cases where special material is to be collected
for a specific purpose previous discussion with a member of the labora-
tory staff is usually sufficient to determine methods of handling.
As far as possible with existing staff and facilities diagnosis is
determined at the Berkeley laboratory of the bureau. On occasion, where
necessary, other agencies cooperate either by making a specific diagnosis
or by confirming our own findings. Frequently other agencies and institu-
tions in various parts of the State have cooperated by making their
facilities available to us when working in their area. With our mobile
laboratory this procedure is no longer as necessary as in the past.
The special mobile laboratory of the division is a valuable adjunct
to the Berkeley laboratory. This vehicle was designed to fill the need for
rapid diagnosis of wildlife disease in the field. The emphasis was placed
on mobility and maneuverability so that the site of a disease outbreak
Figure 48. The mobile laboratory. Photo by Kramer Adams.
could be reached quickly even in areas that might be considered some-
what inaccessible. It also was considered important that it contain all
of the necessary facilities for complete diagnosis in the fields of bacteri-
ology and parasitology so that it would be a completely self -sustained
laboratory. Since this is a new type of equipment for the study of wildlife
disease a description of the unit is given.
The mobile laboratory is based on a one-ton panel truck. (Fig. 48).
The vehicle has four speeds forward including a compound low gear. The
generator has been replaced by an alternator that produces 80 amperes
IMS
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
for charging three storage batteries. One of the storage batteries is used
in the normal manner, while the other two in series provide 12 volts.
The current produced runs an inverter which supplies a 110-volt alter-
nating current, providing power for three fluorescent lamps, an air con-
ditioning fan, a centrifuge and for other uses that may occur.
A five-gallon butane tank is mounted on a plywood partition behind
the driver's seat. This supplies fuel for the bunsen burner and gas may
also be used as a source of heat when outside temperatures make it neces-
sary and to prevent the breakage of bottles containing reagent solutions
that might freeze.
Mounted from the ceiling directly behind the driver's seat is a 30-
gallon water tank filled from the outside This water supplies the sink
and the air conditioning unit. A refrigeration box is directly behind the
driver's seat with a metal lined box and insulated with glass wool.
< Ordinary ice or C02 dry iee may be used as the refrigerant.
Figure 49. View of interior of the mobile laboratory. Photo by Kramer Adams.
The inside of the truck provides the working space for laboratory
procedures (Fig. 49) . Cabinets and drawers are installed on the partition.
Reagent bottles and glassware are fitted into rubber lined slots mounted
in a shelf that slides out for convenience. A compartment was constructed
that holds the microscope in its case for double protection. Two folding
tables and the sinkboard provide workspace. Eighteen-inch library-type
steel stools with rollers give adequate working space, and allow two
workers to move about the quarters that otherwise would be cramped.
Windows were cut through the panel side above the folding tables to
DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS 199
provide adequate light, and the interior is painted white to insure maxi-
mum use of natural light. Two swinging brackets mounted above the rear
doors provide for suspension of deer or other large mammals for ease of
performing a necropsy. An aluminum table with an adjustable leg is
hinged to the floor at the rear entrance so that the internal organs can
be examined outside, or where birds or small mammals can be autopsied.
This vehicle has proven invaluable in the rapid diagnosis of disease
at locations away from the headquarters laboratory. In addition to its
usefulness in providing a means of quickly determining the cause of a
disease and thereby allowing all preventive and control measures to be
initiated with greater dispatch, this mobile laboratory has been used in
extending research on particular diseases to the field environment where
they occur.
The main concern of the laboratory is the study of parasites and
diseases of game species of mammals and birds. Since many of the infec-
i inns also invoke other species of animals, it is often necessary to investi-
gate the infections of non game species in order to obtain the complete
picture of epidemiological relationships. An effort is made to confine our
research for the most part to specific problems that will yield data neces-
sary to anticipate or ultimately instigate control measures. However, it
is usually necessary to have at hand much academic information which
is basic to any further study. As much as possible academic problems that
lend themselves io such procedure are farmed out to qualified graduate
st iidents or other individuals whose personal interests tie in with material
we have on hand or can obtain easily. Further, when studies are com-
pleted on material which would be of teaching value, such specimens are
presented as gifts to various colleges to be used for classroom or research
study.
On many occasions various members of the faculty of the University
of California, other institutions, and personnel of the Departments of
Agriculture and Public Health have cooperated or collaborated with us
on some of our problems which have interests in common. Several joint
research and survey projects have also been undertaken.
The study of diseases of wild life is still very much in its infancy.
< M'ten much more time is required to obtain a diagnosis or the answers
to many of the problems than the results might seem to warrant. Efforts
to obtain a diagnosis of losses occurring in the field frequently seriously
interrupt the research projects necessary to obtain the basic data which
are imperative before any progress toward control can be anticipated.
As our knowledge advances it will become even more necessary that the
assistance of collaborating individuals and institutions be procured if
the information on the basic academic phases of our problems is to be
available and keep pace with our efforts to solve the ultimate purpose of
our existence — the control of wild-life diseases.
'_>()()
( Mil ORNLA PISH \\H GAME
Bibliography
Chattin, J. B., O. M. Herman and H. Kirby
3044. A parasite from antelope in California. Trans. Amer. Microse. Soc, vol. 63,
pp. 27-29.
Clarke, F. C.
1913. Preliminary report upon the disease occurring among the ducks of the south-
ern San Joaquin Valley during the fall 1913. Condor, vol. 15, pp. 214-226.
1913. Investigations on the large game situation in California with special refer-
ence to deer. Calif. Game Bull. No. 1, pp. 6-20.
1 >i\on, J. S.
1934. A study of the life history and food habits of mule deer in California. Calif.
Fish and Game, vol. 20, pp. L82-282, 316-354. Section on diseases, pp.
274-2S2.
Dixon, J. S., and C. M. Herman
1945. Studies on the condition of California mule deer :it Sequoia National Park.
Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 31, pp. 3-11.
Dougherty. E. C, and C. M. Herman
1947. New species of the genus Parafilaroides Dougherty, 1946 (Nematoda: Met-
astrongylidae), from sealions, with a list of the lungworms of the Pinnipedia.
Proc. of Helminth. Soe. Wash., vol. 14. pp. 77-87.
Hensley, A. L., and B. C. Fox
1948. Experiments on the management of Colorado River Beaver. Calif. Fish and
Game, vol. .'{4. pp. 115-131. This paper has a section entitled "disease study"
on p. 129.
Herman, C. M.
1943. Giardia in the blood of a kangaroo rat. Jour. I'arasit.. vol. 29, p. 423.
1943. An outhreak of mycotic pneumonia in mallards. Calif. Fish and Game, vol.
29, p. 204.
1944. Eye worm (Thelazia ealiforniensis) infection in deer in California. Calif.
Fish and Game, vol. 30, pp. 58-60.
1944. Notes of the pupal development of Stilhomelopa impressa (Diptera : Hip-
poboscidae) . Jour. Parasit.. vol. 30, pp. 112-118.
V.»44. The hlood protozoa of North American Birds. Bird-Banding, vol. 15, pp.
89-112.
194.". Hippoboseid flies as parasites of game animals in California. Calif. Fish and
Game, vol. 31, pp. 16-25.
1945. Gapeworm in California quail and chukar partridge. Calif. Fish and Game,
vol. 31, pp. 68-72.
1945. Cephenemyia jellisoni Townsend (Diptera Cuterebridae) reared from nasal
hot of blacktailed deer. Pan-Pac. Ent., vol. 21, p. 120.
1945. Deer management problems as related to diseases and parasites of domestic
range livestock. Trans. 10th N. A. Wildlife Conf., pp. 242-246.
1945. Some worm parasites of deer in California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. ."»1 .
pp. 201-208.
1 946. The nose bot fly of deer. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 32, pp. 17-18.
1947. Further observations on deer foot worm infection. Calif. Fish and Game,
vol. 33, p. 54.
1949. A new host for the eye worm Thelazia Californiensix, Calif. Fish and Game,
vol. 35, pp. 139.
1949. Coccidiosis in native California valley quail and problems of control. Trans.
Conf. on Coccidiosis, New York Academy of Sciences, March, 1949. In press.
Herman. C. M. and A. I. Bischoff
1946. The footworm parasite of deer. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 32, pp. 182-190.
Herman, C. M. and G. L. Bolander
1943. A parasite in the muscles of ducks in California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol.
29, pp. 148-149.
1943. Fungus disease in glaucous-winged gull. Condor, vol. 45, pp. 160-161.
Herman. C. M. and J. E. Chattin
1943. Epidemiological studies on coccidiosis of California Quail. I. Occurrence of
Eimeria in wild quail. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 29, pp. 168-179.
Herman. C. M. and J. E. Chattin and R. W. Saarni
1943. Food habits and intensity of coccidian infection in native valley quail in
California. Jour. Parasit., vol. 29, pp. 206-208.
DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS 201
Herman, C. M. and Pedro Galindo
1944. Notes on a water ouzel. Condor, vol. 46, p. 297.
Herman, C. M. and B. Glading
1942. The protozoan blood parasite llaetnoproteus lophoriyx O'Roke in quail at
the San Joaquin Experimental Range, California. Calif. Fish and Game,
vol. 28, pp. 150-153.
Herman, C. M. and H. A. Jankiewicz
11)43. Parasites of cottontail rabbits on the San Joaquin Experimental Range,
California. Jour. Wildlife Mgt., vol. 7, pp. 395-400.
Herman, C. M. and M. X. Rosen.
1947. Another outbreak of Fungus Disease in Gulls. Condor, vol. 49, p. 212.
Hobmaier, M.
L930. Duck disease caused by the poison of the bacillus botulinus. Calif. Fish and
Game, vol. 10, pp. 2N5-2N0.
1930. Duck disease caused by the toxin of Clostridium botulinus. C. Proc. Soc.
Exper. Biol. Med., vol. 28, pp. 339 340.
1932. Conditions and control of botulism (duck disease) in waterfowl. Calif. Fish
and Game, vol. 18, pp. 5-21.
interstate Deer Herd Committee.
1!*47. Second progress report on the cooperative study of the interstate deer herd
and its range. Calif. Fish and (Janic, vol. 33, pp. 287-314. This paper has a
section entitled "parasites" on pp. 310-312.
McLean, D. D.
1930. The quail of California. Div. of Fish and Game, State of California Game
Bull. No. 2. A section entitled "diseases and parasites of the valley quail"
prepared by E. ('. O'Roke appears on pp. 35-37.
1940. Duck disease at Tulare Lake. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 32, pp. 71-80.
Mays. A. S.
L941. Observations on duck disease at Tulare Lake Basin, 1940. Calif. Fish and
(lame, vol. 27, pp. 154 164.
Meyer, K. F.
1928. Facts you should know about animal diseases — an elementary talk. Calif.
Fish and Game, vol. 14, pp, 107-114.
Moffitt, J.
1934. Mule deer study program. Calif. Fish and Came, vol. 20, pp. 52-66.
O'Roke, E. C.
1928. The relation of parasitism to wild life conservation. Calif. Fish and Game,
vol. 14, pp. 128-129.
1928. Parasites and parasitic disease in the California valley quail. Calif. Fish
and Game, vol. 14, pp. 193-198.
1928. Intestinal parasites of wild ducks and geese. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 14,
pp. 286-29<i.
Rosen, M. X.
1948. Hermaphroditism in Chinese ring necked pheasant. Calif. Fish and Came.
vol. 34, pp. 135-136.
Rosen. M. N. and A. I. Bischoff.
1949. Field trials of sulfamethazine and sulfaquinoxaline in the therapeusis of
quail ulcerative enteritis. Cornell Vet.. In press.
Shaw, P. A.
1930. Recent progress in duck disease studies. Jour. A.V.M.A., vol. 77, pp. 561-568.
1933. Toxicity and deposition of thallium in certain game birds, J. Pharm. & Exp.
Ther., vol. 48, pp. 478-487.
1933. Colorimetric determination of thallium. Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 5, pp. 93-99.
Van Roekel, H.
1929. Wild duck disease. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 15, pp. 11-12.
1929. Diseases observed in game bird raising. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 15, pp.
301-308.
1929. Parasitism in deer. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 15, pp. 309-314.
NOTES
LARGE DOVER SOLE TAKEN OFF EUREKA
On September 21, 1948, the otter trawler St. Patrick, captained by
Earl McCarty of Eureka, obtained a catch of very large Dover sole,
Microstomus pacificus. Several fish ranged from 7.5 to 10.3 pounds in
total weight. Total lengths of these large fish varied from 646 mm. to 710
mm., a range of 25.43 to 27.95 inches. All were taken in the same drag, at
a depth of 100 fathoms, northwest of Humboldt Bay bar. The maximum
length previously given for this species was 24 inches. The largest speci-
men obtained was a female with ovaries large, distended and granular.
The ova were approaching the translucent condition that occurs prior to
spawning. Ovum diameters ranged from 1.0 mm. to 1 .2 mm. Measurements
on tins fish were: 710 mm., or 27.95 inches, measured Prom the tip of the
snout to the longest caudal ray; standard length 615 mm., 24.2 inches;
depth of the body 342 mm., or 13.47 inches; round weight 10.30 pounds.
Scales taken from this individual indicated an age between 18 and 20
years. — Frederick B. Hagerman. Bureau of Marine Fisheries, California
Division of Fish and Game, April, 1949.
( 202 )
REVIEWS
Trout Fisheries in New Zealand, Their Development and Management
By Derisley F. Hobbs, New Zealand Marine Department, Wellington, New-
Zealand, Fisheries Bulletin Number 9, 1948, 175 pp., 31 plates, 25 tables, appendix 5.
This book will be welcomed by all who are working on trout fishery manage-
ment problems.
Mr. Hobbs has covered his subject well. He has set down in a clear manner a
review of the development of trout fishing in New Zealand from the time of intro-
duction of the first trout into the country, about 1865, until the present time. Ho
describes the part played by trout hatcheries, which were established at the time
of the first shipment of e«gs into the country. The primary function of hatcheries
then was to receive trout from other countries in the only stages they could be safely
transported at the time, namely eyed eggs. Later the hatcheries were used in an
attempi to maintain the fishery at a high level. The author questions their value
as an important adjunct to natural reproduction. In his discussion relating to the
efficiency of natural reproduction versus hatchery production he calls attention to
I he "unconcious propaganda of numbers." "The number of eggs handled in hatch-
eries sound impressive and look impressive on paper until they are viewed in relation
lo the number of fish which produce them or the number of eggs not handled in
hatcheries." Some of the author's general conclusions about hatcheries in New Zealand
aie: "the losses resulting from interference with natural spawning runs and the
artificial propagation of eggs obtained have usually been greater than would have
occurred had fish been left to spawn naturally" ami. "it is desirable to seek more
beneficial ways of spending approximately 70 percent of the funds available for
development ami maintenance of stocks."
Several interesting illustrations in the hook add emphasis to the text. The
pictures of streams ami lake types are of interest for comparison with streams and
lakes in California coastal and valley districts.
The book is divided into four parts : Part I — Historical; Part II — Recent man-
agement of fisheries in New Zealand; Part III — Recent investigational work on
fisheries management in other countries: Part IV — Future management ami develop-
ment id' fisheries.
As tin' author points out, much data are lacking to warrant certain conclusions.
II. has, however, made use of all available information. Among other things he shows
that the production of streams of New Zealand in terms of pounds of trout produced
is as great today as it was when the fishery first began over seventy years ago.
His careful analysis of data at hand is worthy of imitation. Those persons
interested in trout fishery management will find "Trout Fisheries in New Zealand"
of decided interest and a definite help in the solution of their own problems. — Harry
.1. Hanson, California Division of Fish ami Game.
Trapping
By Harold McCracken and Harry Van Cleve. A. S. Barnes Company, New
York. 1947, 196 pp., $2.75.
This is a small but comprehensive volume dealing with life history, habits and
range of the different furbearing animals of North America and methods of their
capture. It should prove to be a valuable reference, especially for beginners, and
perhaps many trappers who have not thoroughly learned the art of trapsetting.
However as pointed out by the authors "Whether you are trapping amid the snow
and ice of Alaska or the marshlands of Louisiana the most important requirement for
successful trapping is to have a thorough knowledge of the animal sought. The
trapper must be a naturalist as well as an expert in the art of setting traps. The
printed page can only be an elementary guide and real knowledge comes only from
first hand experience."
The authors apparently consider the fox to be one of the most difficult to
trap inasmuch as they seem to stress the fact that in order to catch him the traps
should be free from all oil, grease and human or domestic odors. In order to accom-
plish this the traps should be boiled in a solution made by boiling the bark from
different trees, branches from shrubs or black walnut hulls. Foxes in the northern
country and perhaps in the east may be hard to catch but in California our predatory
animal trappers have difficulty in keeping a fox out of their traps. However it is
heartily agreed that traps should be kept clean and free from all odor if the trapper
(203 )
204 CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME
expects to attain ;i maximum of success. This especially applies to traps used for
trapping the coyote.
Under the heading of "Wolf Blood" the authors tell of the advisibility of
having wolf blood in the different breeds of sled dogs, the reason being that the work
of a sled dog is mighty tough and there are exceedingly few breeds of dog that can
stand it. Their feet are usually the first part to give out. I agree on all this but they
then go on to tell us that the reason the dogs feet give out is because icicles have a
habit of forming on the long hairs between the eyes causing him to go lame. No doubt
tli is is a misprint but if not it is a new one on me. I never would have thought to look
for icicles between a dog's eyes to locate the cause for lameness. Or should I?
Anyhow it is a good little book and is well worth the price to any young man
who intends spending even part of his time at the business of trapping. From cover to
cover it is interesting and contains much valuable information including hints and
kinks for the outdoorsman. — J. R. Wallace, California Division of Fish and Game
The Ruffed Grouse
By Frank C. Edminster. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1947, 385 plus
xxvi pp., 28 line cuts, 157 photographs, $5.
The author has made available to ornithologists and game managers a wealth
of information concerning this popular game bird. One must marvel in the adaptability
of this species for this elusive and wary bird (during hunting season) was commonly
called "fool hen" not many years ago. It's amazing and complex courtship activities
are well known and the cause or causes of periodic population fluctuation has been a
point of argumentation among orinthologists for several decades. The author has sum-
marized all of the proposed theories affecting periodic fluctuations and states that.
"These fluctuations are not sufficiently regular to be caused directly by some all-
pervading common cause. They are inconsistent geographically, both in time of
occurrence and severity of action." He completes this discourse with a statement that
there is still much to learn about the subject.
Life history, ecology, and applied management fire well covered in a text
which is usable to a high degree. The author had seven years of experience in
working with this species while serving with the New York State Conservation
Department, and nine years of subsequent wildlife work with the U. S. Soil Conserva-
tion Service which has greatly broadened the scope of his research. References are
liberally cited and an excellent detailed bibliography accompanies the text. The
illustrations are excellent but it is felt that they should have been used throughout
the text where applicable rather than being concentrated in one section.
The final chapter, "Management of the Ruffed Grouse," is logical in its pres-
entation and should prove of value to game managers working with this species.
This should be a basic text for reference work for many years. — Henry A. Hjersman,
California Division of Fish and Game.
The Ruffed Grouse
By Henry Marion Hall ; illustrated by Ralph Ray. New York, Oxford Univer-
sity Press, 1946. 91 pp., 8 col. pis., 10 figs. $6.50.
This companion book to "Woodcock Ways," by the same author, is well bound
but the colored plates lack in authenticity. The text is of narrative style which makes
for ease of reading, despite the wealth of information contained. Although Mr. Hall
describes management practices in regard to this species, the book is intended for the
sportsman and casual reader rather than the game manager or biologist. He does cover
the gunning of ruffed grouse quite thoroughly especially in regard to guessing the direc-
tion of flight, forcing the flight, and conditions under which fast shooting is required.
This is recommended reading for the sportsman but interesting to anyone who
enjoys days in the woods. — Henry A. Hjersman, California Division of Fish and Game.
Big Game Hunting
By Elmer Keith ; illustrations by Bob Kuhn and author. Boston, Little, Brown
and Company, 1948, 420 pp., photographs, $7.50.
Keith's lifetime experience as a big game hunter, guide and outfitter made it
possible for him to test his many theories concerning rifles and loads. His writings of
these experiences and his hunting methods make entertaining reading for all interested
in big game hunting.
REVIEWS 205
The book is well arranged and indexed. There is a separate chapter on the
hunting of each of the big game mammals of North America.
The opening chapter titled, "How to Look for Game." is an original and well
presented thesis on an important but seldom discussed part of big game hunting.
The author assumes that the hunter will be guided and outfitted by professionals.
The chapter on "Pack Outfits and Tentage" and "Equipment" are written with this
viewpoint reducing its value to independent hunters.
Keith has very definite opinions on the efficiency of various rifles for big game
hunting. He reports on the performance of a number of "wildcat" and foreign rifles
but neglects some of the most popular rifles of commercial United States manufacture.
Deer are not given a place in this book commensurate with the number of
sportsmen that hunt deer as their only big game. — James D. Stokes, California Division
of F'ish and Game.
Shots at Whitetails
By Lawrence It. Koller, drawings by Bob Kuhn. Boston, Little, Brown and
Company, 1948, 359 + vii pp., photographs, illus. and index, $5.
Koller is evidently well qualified to write on the subject of whitetail deer hunting.
Although the title would indicate that this book is composed of a number of hunting
anecdotes, this is not the case. The book covers the sport of whitetail hunting in detail,
from the first chapter on the whitetail's natural history through hunting methods,
choice of weapons and loads, preparation of meat for the table to mounting of the
trophy head.
Outstanding is the author's inclusion of advice to the beginner, the unattached
city hunter, and hunter of moderate means, as well as to the clul> and private reserve
hunters.
The methods of hunting described have been used successfully by the author. He
lias steered clear of 'the common superstitions of the so-called "old-timer."
While this book covers very thoroughly its subject, it must be remembered thai
it deals with one species of deer, the whitetail, and one section of North America,
.New York State. Thus many of the hunting methods and the method of handling
and aging the venison cannot be used in the West. — James D. Stokes, California
Division of Fixh and Game.
Wildlife Management: Upland Game and General Principles
By Reuben Edwin Trippensee, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1948, \ + 47!)
pp., 36 figs., 71 tables. $5.
There is a growing demand for classroom texts summarizing the diverse and
scattered recent literature in the wildlife field. Trippensee's Wildlife Management is a
step toward filling this need.
The first 24 chapters are arranged in three main parts — Farm, Forest and
Wilderness Wildlife. Each part is introduced by a chapter on general considerations
in management, followed by detailed discussion of individual species or groups of
related species. The remaining seven chapters of the book (there are 31 in all) cover
.Miscellaneous Wildlife Relationships and Wildlife Administration. Fur-bearers and
waterfowl are not treated in this book, but they will "be the subject of a companion
volume to be issued later.
The book has real value to a beginning wildlife student in assembling for con-
venient reference a considerable volume of information about several dozen important
game species. Some of the compilations are well done, particularly those concerning
eastern species on which the author himself has worked, as for example the cottontail.
Food habits of many species are treated exhaustively, and most essential facts of life
history, ecology and management are included. The value of the book is such that it
has been adopted by the reviewer as the beginning text in wildlife management at
the University of California.
At the same time there is much to criticize in the volume. Many important
western species are only sketchily covered. Frequently data are offered with little
critical analysis or synthesis. Numerous important papers that appeared after 1940
are completely overlooked, and the whole point of view is rather that of the "food
patch" era of game management which characterized the 1930's. Ideas of the last decade
on population phenomena (sex and age composition, turnover and productivity rates,
etc.) are scarcely acknowledged. A chapter on disease (by E. C. O'Roke) mentions
only in passing the ecological aspects of disease in wild populations but devotes pages
to the symptoms and cures of game farm maladies — hardly an up-to-date treatment.
20() I AUI'iiKNIA PISH AMI GAME
Some of the range maps are grossly inaccurate. Pheasants in California, for
example, arc shown in the extreme northern counties and their presence is not
acknowledged in the Centra] Valley i when' the 1948 kill probably exceeded half a
million birds). Gambel quail arc shown over all of Southern California including the
coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Two large blocks of bobwhjte range are indi-
cated in Northern California. And so on. All of the maps were taken from other
publications, but this does not absolve Trippensee from bis responsibility for reason-
able accuracy, particularly when distribution data can be obtained with very little
effort.
With all its shortcomings, Wildlife Management will serve a good purpose as a
general reference book for wildlife beginners, though it is not of a caliber to become
a classic in the technical literature. — A. Starker Leopold, Museum of Vertebra tr
Zoology, University of California.
Know Your Ducks and Geese
By Angus H. Shortt and B. \V. Cartwright. Sports Afield Publ. Co.. .Minne-
apolis, 1948, $5.
This is the Sports Afield collection of know your ducks and geese. This series
started to run in Sports Afield Magazine in January, 1946. One species appeared each
mouth through three full years. The editors of the magazine have brought together
all of these excellent paintings into one volume, beautifully bound, pages 11 f inches
by 14 inches. Thirty-six speci s of waterfowl are treated, a full page painting of each is
presented preceded by a tissue sheet giving pertinent data on the species. The color
pictures show the ducks in full nuptial plumage. The text on the tissue sheets carries
black and white sketches of the birds on the water and a map showing the known
distribution in North America.
This edition is dedicated to waterfowlers everywhere. It would make an excel-
lent addition to the library of every student of waterfowl as well as sportsmen. The
editors of Sports Afield Magazine are to be commended for making this excellent col-
lection available to the public at such low cost. — Carlton M. Herman, California Divi-
sion of Fish and Game.
REPORTS
SEIZURES OF FISH AND GAME
January, February, March, 1949
Fish:
Abalone.
Crabs.
B. Bass
Bass
Catfish
Steelhead.
Clams
Cockles
Lobsters
Lobsters, pounds.
Salmon
Mullet
Sunfish
.Skipjack, pounds
Sardines, pounds -
1,165
43
53
25
16
11
2,500
7,511
135
213
2
5
58
3,747
128,500
Game:
' Coots.
Deer
Deer meat, pounds .
Doves
Ducks
■*■ Geese
Grouse-..
^ Shorebirds
Pheasants
~ Nongame
~- Pigeons
Squirrels
Quail
"~ Rabbits _
"-Swans
Sea Otter skins
Beaver skins
Muskrat skins..
Mink skins
4
28
366
4
895
34
2
4
47
70
56
3
24
29
24
2
4
38
4
FISH CASES
January, February, March, 1949
Offense
Number
arrests
Fines
Jail
sentences
(days)
< Abalone: Overlimit; undersize; out of shell; closed season. _
87
176
1
3
29
3
165
37
12
4
6
28
8-
7
13
7
1
2
1
$2,160 00
2,273 00
50 00
250 00
568 00
75 00
3,817 00
' 1,360 00
1,000 00
200 00
25 00
670 00
— 115 00
100 00
1,085 00
288 00
150 00
250 00
25 00
34
< -Angling: Closed stream; set lines; at night; possession gaff 300' of stream . _
» Chum: Salmon eggs..
52^
v Mullet: Illegal nets
x Bass: Undersize; overlimit; at night; 2 rods ._..__
•Crabs: Undersize
•Clams: Undersize; overlimit
■ Commercial: Round haul, dist. 20; no party boat license; resist arrest; illegal
gill nets
15
" Pollution: Oil; fish refuse
t Salmon: Snagging; gaffing; spawning beds
1 Trout: Closed season
^Cockles: Overlimit ; undersize
'Licenses: Transfer; back dating; false statement . .
\ Sardines: Undersize _ .
v Lobsters: Undersize; traps in closed district .. .
"Catfish: Fyke nets
Skipjack: Undersize
»- Steelhead: Closed season; other than hook and line. . . _-._
l Sunfish: Overlimit
Totals
589
$14,461 00
my.
Court Forfeitures
Undersize mackerel and sardines.
.$11,001 39
I 207 )
208
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
GAME CASES
January, February, March, 1949
Offense
Number
arrests
Fines
Jail
sentences
(days)
2
3
67
28
3
$6,146 00
3,400 00
105 00
200 00
13,150 00
415 00
2,475 00
512 00
275 00
580 00
90 00
1,021 00
85 00
1,400 00
6,605 00
100 00
262
350
4
252
13
50
28
17
74
2
16
5
37
4
10
22
270
1
1
772
$36,559 00
772
7V?
Coots: Closed season .........
Deer: Doe; spike buck; taking in refuge; no tag; spotlighting
Deer meat: Closed season; unstamped
Doves: Closed season; illegal import
Squirrels: Closed season
Ducks : Offer for sale ; purchase ; closed season
Geese: Closed season; overlimit
Pheasant: Hen
Nongame: Possession
Grouse: Possession
Pigeons: Closed season
Quail: Closed season
Rabbits: Closed season
Shorebirds: Killing -
Swans: Possession
Hunting: Unplugged gun; from highway; powerboat
Sea otter: Skins, possession
Beaver and Mink : Hides, illegal possession
Totals
7140 4-4'i 6M
ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Fish Bulletin No. 68 (1948), Common Marine Fishes of California. By Phil M.
Roedel. 150 pp. Ill figs.
Fish Bulletin No. 69 (1948), Age and Length Composition of the Sardine Catch
Off the Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada, 1941-42 Through
1946-47. By Frances E. Felin and Julius B. Phillips. 122 pp.
Fish Bulletin No. 70 (1948), A Preliminary Population Study of the Yellowfm
Tuna and the Albacore. By H. C. Godsil. 90 pp. 22 figs.
Fish Bulletin No. 71 (1948), Growth of the Sardine (Sardinops caerulea), 1941-
42 Through 1946-47. By Julius B. Phillips. 33 pp. 12 figs.
Fish Bulletin No. 72 (1948), Trawling Gear in California. By W. L Scofield.
60 pp. 24 figs.
Fish Bulletin No. 73 (1949), Tagging Experiments on the Pacific Mackerel
(Pneumatophorus diego). By Donald H. Fry, Jr., and Phil M. Roedel. 64 pp.
15 figs.
These six publications are available to interested persons by request.
Write to:
DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME
California State Fisheries Laboratory
Terminal Island, California
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