ation. When time for action comes, I urge you to remember that by its very nature this conference is in effect a meeting of the peoples of a continent; that it is entirely autonomous; that in accordance with the spirit of true democracy its future aims, aspirations, and methods of doing business are in its own hands.

This conference provides, then, three major opportunities. One is to learn about facts, discoveries and information pertinent to wildlife and the wildlife situation. Another is to develop an adequate national and international wildlife program. A third is to organize a permanent affiliation of all wildlife interests and groups; to create one central organization so articulate, so powerful, and so effective that real progress in restoring and conserving the vanishing wildlife resources of a continent can no longer be prevented.

Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the President of the United States, at whose invitation we are assembled here, I now declare the North American Wildlife Conference formally in session. And I have the privilege of presenting the Honorable Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture, who brings to you a message from the Chief Executive. [Applause.]

REMARKS OF HON. HENRY A. WALLACE

Hon. HENRY A. WALLACE (Secretary of Agriculture). Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen of the North American Wildlife Conference: It is appropriate, it seems to me, that the first statement formally made should be a statement from the President, and I have received such a statement this morning. It reads as follows:

To the North American Wildlife Conference:

I regret my inability to extend a personal welcome to you or to participate personally in your discussion. Because this is impossible, I have asked Secretary Wallace to convey my best wishes for a most successful and profitable meeting. It has long been my feeling that there has been lack of a full and complete public realization of our wildlife plight, of the urgency of it, and of the many social and economic values that wildlife has to our people. This, and my firm belief in the ability of the American people to face facts, to analyze problems, and to work out a program which might remedy the situation, is what impelled me to call the North American Wildlife Conference.

Our present wildlife situation is more than a local one. It is national and international. I sincerely hope that with the help of good neighbors to the north and south of us, your conference will unite upon a common purpose and a common program.

You have been told that this conference is an open forum; that it is entirely autonomous; that its future is subject to its own decisions. This is as it should be, for it makes it possible for you as representatives of thousands of wildlife organizations with millions of interested and zealous members to make effective progress in restoring and conserving the vanishing wildlife resources of a continent.

Sincerely,

[Applause.]

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.

And now I may say, on behalf of the Department of Agriculture as well as on behalf of the entire administration, that we are exceedingly appreciative of the presence of the representatives from Canada and Mexico; we are exceedingly appreciative of the fact that all of you are here; that not only are there representatives of the Federal departments and bureaus dealing with wildlife, but also representatives of the States; and especially are we happy that

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there are represented here the many private organizations. We express the hope that before this meeting adjourns these varied agencies, being impressed by the urgency of the problem over the entire North American Continent, will agree upon the main essentials of a broad program, no matter how irritating some of the minor differences may be. If we can proceed in that spirit of unity toward the major objective, we will not allow precious time to pass-that precious time which has passed and brought some of our valued species of wildlife near to the point of extinction. We are now, all of us, so impressed by what lost time has done that I am convinced we are willing to pull together over this entire continent for this objective as we never have done before. [Applause.]

Chairman SILCOX. Members of the North American Wildlife Conference: We are delighted to have with us Sr. Juan Zinser, representing the Mexican Government, who will bring you a message from the President of Mexico. [Applause.]

REMARKS OF SR. JUAN ZINSER

Sr. JUAN ZINSER (speaking in Spanish). It is a high honor for me to present to you the most cordial salutation of the President of the United Mexican States, Gen. Lazaro Cardenas, and I hope this conference will accomplish its noble purpose and will help to perpetuate the friendship of the nations taking part in this conferencethe United States of America, Canada, and Mexico. [Applause.] Chairman SILCOX. We are also delighted to have with us Mr. J. B. Harkin, Commissioner of National Parks of Canada, who will bring to us a message from the Premier of Canada. [Applause.]

REMARKS OF MR. J. B. HARKIN

Mr. J. B. HARKIN. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary, and members of the Wildlife Conference: I am directed by the Prime Minister of Canada to read his message to you on his behalf:

It gave me great satisfaction to learn that the Government of the United States has called together a conference for the purpose of discussing wildlife conservation on the North American Continent.

The treaty between the United States and Canada for the protection of migratory birds indicates the interrelation of interests between our countries in that phase of wildlife conservation.

Following the policy established by that treaty, Canada is pleased to join with the United States of America and the Republic of Mexico in the present effort to advance the cause of conservation of North American wildlife, to the end that the full economic and esthetic possibilities of this great and distinctive resource may not only be enjoyed by the present generation but be handed down unimpaired for the future citizens of this continent.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Canada, I extend all good wishes for success in your deliberations, in the confident hope that the conference will result in much benefit to the cause yon are espousing.

[Applause.]

Chairman SILCOX. I am delighted again to present Sr. Juan Zinser, who will present a paper on "The Mexican wildlife situation." [Applause].

REMARKS OF SR. JUAN ZINSER

Sr. JUAN ZINSER (Mexico City). Mr. Chairman and delegates: It is one of the most pleasing experiences of my whole life to attend

this conference, which stands for the spiritual union of three peoples: the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico, all three destined to be united by unshakable friendship, and I feel it an honor at the same time to collaborate in a work of such great importance as that of protection of wildlife against indiscriminate hunting and exploitation, in order to allow it to propagate species for the benefit of the community as a whole.

By order of the President of the United States of Mexico, Gen. Lazaro Cardenas, the Department of Forests, Game, and Fish has been pleased to appoint me to attend this conference, and to set forth, as I shall now briefly proceed to do, the conditions under which a number of our wild animals live.

The Department of Forests, Game, and Fish established in January 1935 by Presidential decree, has drawn up the program for its work from a viewpoint essentially involving conservation of natural resources. The care of our woods and reforestation of denuded areas is its main purpose, inasmuch as these resources are essential to the life not only of man himself, but of the wild animals living in their depths, for there they find food and shelter, so that it necessarily follows that said department also cares for wildlife and takes such steps as may be necessary to prevent extinction of any species and to supervise their rational use for sport, food, trade, and industry.

Conservation of wildlife in years gone by had been neglected, for lack of proper and constant supervision had made it impossible to enforce legal ordinances enacted for this purpose. Hunting was, as a general rule, practiced without any restrictions whatsoever. The wild animals of each section were not studied, nor were their breeding habits and seasons the object of attention, so that no precise data were available in regard to the number of animals of each species killed every year.

Mexico's natural fauna, which is very rich, has not suffered actual extinction of any species, but its numbers have been sadly depleted and the Government has realized in time that all must be protected and has enacted laws and provisions to that end. For this purpose it has absolutely prohibited hunting of wild sheep and antelope in order to allow restocking of their natural range on a sufficient scale. The deer family constitute the most valuable members of Mexico's wildlife for hunting purposes and is subdivided into the following species:

1. Bura or blacktail (Odocoileus). Mule Deer.

2. Whitetail deer or salton (Odocoileus).

3. Temazate or guasupita; the Brockets (Mazama).

The mule deer is extensively hunted, especially in the northern border States, by American hunters who come to Mexico for the purpose, and by the Kickapoo Indians. This tribe lives wholly by the chase. Its headquarters are at Nacimiento, near Muzquiz, Coahuila, and its hunting grounds spread over the States of Coahuila, Chihuahua, and Nuevo Leon.

The Indians usually keep and utilize only the hides and portions of the meat of the deer, leaving the remainder to rot. They have lived in that section since the times of President Juarez, and enjoy a number of special privileges such as hunting, which often degenerates into slaughter.

The bura or mule deer ranges over the States of Sonora (and the adjacent territory of Lower California), Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Durango, and Zacatecas. West of Hermosillo, Sonora, on Tiburon Island and in certain sections of Lower California, there is a variety of this deer notable for its large size, which deserves special care to save it from extinction. Whitetail Deer or salton (Odocoileus).

The whitetail deer, subspecies of which are found all over Mexico, abounds in certain regions. There are places where its meat forms the staple food of the inhabitants. Its hides are exported on a large scale, enormous quantities being shipped to the United States. and Germany.

For the last 2 years export of and trade in the hides and flesh of this species has been prohibited, this marking a decisive step forward for conservation of this beautiful animal.

A considerable lessening of the numbers of these valuable Cervidae has been noted in the vicinity of towns and also in many other places which improved means of communication have brought within easy reach of hunters.

In the Yucutan Peninsula, the Indians are hunters by descent and tradition, and the very few not possessing firearms resort to ingenious and effective traps for the capture of this animal. A small number of hunters do respect closed seasons and other ordinances on the subject. The use of lanterns for night shooting has not spread very much, but is sometimes resorted to notwithstanding the fact that it is forbidden.

The Brockets (Mazama) Temazate or Guasupita.

The Temazate, this being the Aztec name of the Brocket or Mazama dwells in tropical forests from southern Vera Cruz to Quintana Roo. Its habitat makes hunting much harder than in the case of the other deer, and serves as an effective defense against its pursuers.

The Antelope or Berrendo (Antilocapra americana, mexicana).

Inhabits the northern border States of the Republic, the great plains bounded by the Sierra Madre and the Sierras of Coahuila; it is also found in Lower California. It is highly gregarious and sometimes ranges in herds numbering up to 35 individuals. It is noted for its inquisitiveness. This species is rapidly becoming extinct due to the fact that Mexican and American hunters pursue it without restraint, often chasing antelope in automobiles and engaging in veritable slaughter. The Department of Forests and Game and Fish is contemplating the establishment of reserves for antelope in the District of Altar, Sonora, for propagation of this species and has declared a strict closed season for it.

Peccary or Wild Pig.

Ranges over the whole Republic, more especially on mountains less than 10,000 feet high. Its flesh is eaten in some places; there is a great demand for hides for export to the United States, where they fetch good prices.

They are usually hunted with dogs.

Bears (Ursus).

Bears were not hunted to any great extent in former years, due to inaccessibility of their habitat. But improved facilities of com

munication have brought about a great increase in bear shooting in late years. Only found in mountain ranges in northern Mexico. Bighorn (Ovis canadensis mexicana).

Up to a few years ago was found on all mountain ranges in the northern part of the Republic, but now, due to relentless hunting, has sought refuge in the Sierras of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Lower California, where it climbs to the highest rocky peaks. This animal is coveted by hunters, but not all of them have either the funds or the physical endurance necessary for its pursuit and capture at their command. Despite this fact, and the further circumstance that shooting this sheep is absolutely prohibited, both American and Mexican hunters continue to pursue it, so much so that there is danger of its becoming extinct. A reservation for this animal, like that for the antelope, is contemplated in the Altar District of Sonora.

Tapir (Tapirus americanus).

Tapirs inhabit the tropical forests of southern Mexico, and, though not particularly abundant, they are by no means scarce. They are more plentiful in Quintana Roo and Campeche but are not much hunted, due to the dense tropical vegetation that covers those sections, that makes hunting difficult, and because of the danger from poisonous reptiles and insects, and the malarial nature of the land.

Rabbits (Sylvilagus) and Hares (Lepus).

Rabbits and hares are shot in great numbers by sportsmen and pot-hunters in the central portions of the country, but not so much elsewhere, and farmers in the northern portion of Mexico even look upon them as a plague, so much so that the Department of Forests and Game and Fish has decided to decree a closed season for coyotes in said States, as it is a well-known fact that these animals live chiefly on rabbit and hare meat.

Agouti (Dasyprocta mexicana, Dasyprocta punctata).

In Mexico exist these two species.

The Agouti ranges from the State of Vera Cruz to Quintana Roo. There are plenty of them and their flesh is much esteemed.

Jaguars, mountain lions or pumas, wild cats, ocelots, coyotes, foxes, badgers, and other predatory animals are pursued on account of the damage they do to cattle and domestic animals generally, and also because there is a good demand for their hides and skins in other countries.

Quails or Partridges (Colinus virginianus) (Callipepla squamata and other species).

These birds are much hunted both by sportsmen and pot-hunters, the latter capture them alive for export in large quantities to the United States. There are sections in Mexico's northern States where they abound. They are also exceedingly plentiful in Yucatan, but as in that section quail nest in sisal fields, the laborers on the plantations are their greatest enemies, and even destroy eggs and nests. Wild turkey (meleagris gallopavo) and Ocellated turkey (Agriocharis ocellata). Plentiful, both the first in northern and the second in southern Mexico, but entirely unknown in the central States. Mostly hunted