The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-08-26

SuppIlcu WITH SOOu SKlnS OF the DUCKS
and geese, there would be no occasion
for our taking specimens at any other
time. AS l understand it, until this
summer there has been no specimen
of the Canada or wild goose in the uni
verslty museum, Notwithstanding the
fact that your local sportsmen kill
them in numbers at FIathead lake in
the open season. Thus it happened
that one specimen of the Canada
goose was taken in our stay at the
station this summer.
Our killing of ducks was also ex-
|,tremely limited. Two or three speci-
mems of Merganser, so-called "fish-
ducks" unfit for the table, breed near
the station, and three or four speci-
mems were taken for Identification. A
wood duck of the year fell into my
hands, and was thus entered in our
list, which otherwise would have been
so far incomplete. My notes also
show that a Buftte-head was taken
from one of the numerous focks rear
ed in the neighborhood. All the fore
going specimens were taken because
they were not listed in the work of
the preceding summer, and were
taken out of season" because we were
unable to do field work at another
time.
In the preparation of list of birds
for publication, the mere statement 0.
the occurrence of any species has lit
tie value if specimen is not at hand
for positive Identification. This is il
Illustrated by an instance which occur
red last summer. We took a specimen
which we identified as the Swamp
Sparrow, bird known to range in
eastern North America westward on
ly to the plains. Our statement of it's
occurrence in western Montana might
be a case of mistaken identity, but
with the specimen deposited In the
museum of the state university, easily
accessible to examination at any time,
a mistake can be rectified or the oc-
currence verified. IL would seem that
a bird as large as wild goose might
be listed without the necessity o;
handling it; but the popular term
wild goose may include any one of
several distinct species, and the term
brant is SO misleading that only care
full examination OF the bird will war
rant it's being included in published
list of value.
There is a further reason for the
exemptions made in the law regarding
the taking of specimens "out of sea-
son." Most of the migrant birds Ct
the season are extremely difficult to
identify at sight; owing to immature
plumage and variations of moult, ani
such specimens are needed to aid In
future identifications without sacci-
fee to life. In facts had the writer Of
your editorial been more thoughtful,
considering the probable reasons of
Prof. Elrod's work at the station and
elsewhere in the neighborhood, it is
likely that his hasty assertions won,d
have been suppressed at least in the
proof-reading. The statement that
this apparent violation of the game
law, is under the pretence of the fur
quite unfounded, and is certainly I'M.
becoming in exhibiting the attitude
Of the Bee relative to the work If the
biological station, when no means
has been employed by the editor or his
staff to acquaint himself with the pur-
poses and workings of the station.
You are correct in presuming that
scientific investigation is not mono,,-
olized by the people Of the biological
station" It is Prof. Elrod's desire
that all sportsmen of the state, and
others interested in the plant and ami.
NAL life of our state. shall cooperate
in collating our present knowledge and
in further investigation. With this in
view the station was opened. and it's
facilities offered free of cost to all
persons thus interested. It i'll becomes
those who neglect to avail themselves
of it's opportunities or who care moth
ing for the spread Of popular know
ledge and refuse to aid in educational
advancement to wax indignant at re-
ports at variance with reason and
common sense. Every fact bearing
nnOn thu natural hictOrv ~ o,,r u&ato