Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-23


to be such a deadly foe is that from
long conflict with man the rat has learn
ed sagacity. and persistently thwarts
all efforts to exterminate him.
In addition to conducting Investigations
in connection with birds and mammals,
the bureau of biological survey has charge
of carrying into effect the provisions of
the federal laws for the Importation and
protection of birds and certain provisions
of the game laws of Alaska. 1t Is also
of the national bird reservations and the
national bison range. And each year
the survey makes study OF some pOr-
ton of the country in connection with
the geographic distribution or animals
and plants and maps the natural life
zones.
There is practically no phase Of bird
or mammal. life with which the survey
does not have to be familiar no question
in connection with the subject that it
must not be able to answer. Although in
vestigationS are being carried on contin-
uously, the results being contained in print
ed reports. much Of the practical work done
by this bureau is through the medium OF
correspondence. Hundreds Of letters come
asking for information along every con-
ceivable line, and many times along
highly incOnceivable lines. Let bulletin
be published by the survey on some mat
ter in which the statement is made that
the subject can be made q remunerative
business. and the bureau is Immediately
Hooded with letters asking all manner
Of questions regarding It, For example.
during the past fiscal year the subject
OF fox breeding for their peits was one
of unusual interest, and elected many in
quiries. Inasrnuch. however. as 5000 has
been paid for a pair Of adult animals.
the business is not open to the small
Speculation. The Belgian hare craze, also,
has called forth inquiries. Fifteen years
ago raising hares became a popular fad.
but 1t almost stopped as quickly as 1t be-
gan, due partly, it is believed, to the fact
that the desire to raise fancy stock for
exhibition purposes OvershadoWed the
other feature. There seems now. how
ever, to be an awakening of interest, II
the number of inquiries received last year
by the survey can be taken as an index.
Almost sixty bird reservations are I'M
der the direction lof the survey, includ-
ing several in Hawaii, Porto Rico and
Alaska. !. In order to aid in their ad-
ministration they have been invited into
six districts, the gulf, lake, mountain.
Pacific, Alaskan and Hawaiian districts,
with inspectors in charge Of each Ward
ems are also in charge Of large portion
of the separate reservations.
!. x
The work of protecting the birds on
these reservations is difficult One such
case was in connection with the Laysan
and Lisiansky islands in
Depredations the Hawaiian reserva-
=, rr,,;: ton. Word came :, that
Japanese plume hunters
were operating several months ago. and
the cooperation of the revenue cutter
service was secured. The Thetis was dis
patched, and on the two islands named
parties were found who had been sys-
tematicaly killing the birds for months
Twenty-three japanese poachers were ar
rested and brought to Honolulu, with
about $4,000 pairs of wings and much
other pumage. although considerable
plumage had been destroyed on the is
land. it was also learned that one ship
-ment had already been sent to Japan.
The total number OF birds killed was es-
timated at about 100000. The poachers
were indicted and sentenced.
The establishment of bird reservations
was begun several years ago. but 1t was
not until 1908 that the number grew to
any considerable extent On the 1st of
August, 1908. sixteen bird reservations
were already established. while on the
1st of March, 1909 there were fifty.
Since then the increase has been slight.
1t was in 1908 also that the act was
passed providing for the purchase of
10000 acres of land on the F1athead In
dian reservation in Montana for ma
tional bison range. the buffalo to be fur
nished by the American Bison Society.
The herd as given by the society con-
sisted of thirty-seyen pure-blooded buff
eighty A second range is under prepare
ton in South Dakota.
y x
Included in the work of the survey is a
supervision of the importation of birds
and other animals. Of
Inspecting ficials of the survey last
year inspected 14O con-
AMpVASS' signments, while $50 per-
mits were granted. Under the permits
1913, 269 birds were imported and 4.5S2
mammals OF the birds imported nearly
339, 900 were canaries. Besides these, 2S,-
sos birds and SIS mammals not requiring
permits were imported. of which number
nearly $1,000 were canaries. While the
large importations of canaries were for
trade purposes, many of the birds import
ed were rare species that are being Guilt
waited in this country, some coming in
for the first time. BY far the greater
portion of mammals imported We're guinea
pigs and monkeys, imported for labora-
tory purposes. as well as some 1900 white
mice obtained for the same purpose.
Among the active campaigns which nave
been undertaken by. the biological survey
is one against the sale of certain plum
age, especially that of the egret. Egrets,
so, popular every season as an adornment
of miladys hat, have been the cause or
the brutal slaughter of millions OF herons
throughout a considerable NUMBER OF
years. Laws have been passed in many
states barring them from sale. and these
have been followed by action against any
who sought their illegal sale. this list in
GLIDING action against six of the largest
millinery stores in Cincinnati.
Although the field Of work covered by
the bureau of biological survey In connec-
ton with birds and mammals Is almost
limitless, the work Is carried on by a
comparatively small force, about seventy
people. Composed of a corps of experts,
under Henry w. HenshaW, the bureau
represents an investigation laboratory.
Results are obtained which tend to prove
certain steps necessary. Then these same
experts aid the state in bringing the de-
sired conditions about, or the farmers IN
cooperating SO as to fight better What
may be community aniction. Ans ou
reau directs blazing the way toward
protective measures. striving to save
beneficial BIRDS and destroy injurious
ones for the farmer; trying to keep the
game birds of the country from becoming
extinct, and at the same time not aDso-
lutely stopping that sport SO dear 10 the
hearts of most men, hunting. Inc do
logical survey stands for the progress
made by an enlightened nation toward
the protection of its resources, ana IN
this particular instance resources Which
stand shoulder to shoulder with any the
United States possesses.
FEDERAL OFFICES