CONSERVATION PROTECTS NATION'S WILDLIFE.

Upper: This mallard is one of more than 3,700,000 North American birds banded since 1920 by Biological Survey officials and cooperators to study migrations and

ranges.

W

Ira N. Gabrielson, Chief

INTRODUCTION

ILDLIFE in the United States was in a much better condition

with reference to human requirements at the end of the fiscal year 1940 than at the beginning. For a bureau charged with the responsibility of national wildlife administration this satisfactory report would in most years be self-sufficient evidence that the agency was contributing to the national welfare. At a time, however, when nearly all undertakings are being judged in terms of defense against external aggression and internal subversion and when past experience indicates the need for caution against a perversion of patriotic zeal that may even endanger some of the important endowments of what must be defended, a more explicit evaluation of wildliferestoration progress in terms of social welfare and national solidarity seems essential. In other words, it should be pointed out that the United States is better able to undertake an intensive nationaldefense program because of the success thus far achieved in restoring and conserving its wildlife and, further, that a continuing wise administration of this natural resource will strengthen a nation's defense against both foreign and domestic dangers.

Conservation-or prudent use of wildlife is one way of making a country worth living in, a first essential in inspiring zealous defense. An abundant wildlife, in other words, is an added attraction to the outdoors, and outdoor experiences foster the qualities of character that are reflected in the American way of living, a heritage that must be defended. Thus wildlife conservation not only contributes toward defense against subversive tendencies but also develops a national morale that will withstand the stress of any emergency requiring action against forces from without.

Though intangible, this fundamental contribution is continuous and thorough rather than temporary or sporadic. Inconspicuous at any

The fifty-fifth annual report of this organization is both its first to the Secretary of the Interior and its last as the Bureau of Biological Survey; in accordance with the President's Reorganization Plan No. II the Survey was transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of the Interior on July 1, 1939; and by Reorganization Plan No. III it was merged with the Bureau of Fisheries on June 30, 1940, to form the Fish and Wildlife Service.

given time and perhaps even overlooked by many during emergencies, the benefits of wildlife conservation are long-time benefits. They will be as important in future requirements for good living and future national emergencies as they are at present. If a high type of conservation is not maintained consistently, the Nation may suffer losses that will be difficult to make up and will impair good living for many years thereafter. Conservation of wildlife in the United States would not in any presently conceivable emergency be consistent with any unusual inroads into the resource, either for meat supplies or for protection against theoretically serious crop losses.

The Biological Survey in administering wildlife has not only encouraged desirable birds and mammals but for many years has also taken the leadership in an intelligent restraint of the numbers of such species as do damage. Carnivorous animals that prey on livestock, rodents that destroy crops or food supplies, carry disease, and by their burrows damage irrigation and other embankments, and birds that prove destructive in orchards and grainfields are being controlled more effectively than ever before as a result of the operations and demonstrations of the Survey. These activities will take on new significance during a national emergency in which food supplies become of critical importance. They can be intensified to any needed degree, yet here too it will be important to exercise due caution, as World War experience indicates that demands for unwise destruction of desirable birds may at such a time be made in the supposed interests of food production. Control activities should never go beyond the demonstrated need.

Personnel and facilities of this agency will be available whenever needed by the Nation for a supreme effort. The field force throughout the country, which is unusually familiar with geographical features, in emergencies could protect areas where damage might impair transportation or weaken defenses. The well-organized and capable body of men engaged in enforcing the Federal laws that protect wildlife could undoubtedly assist in anti-espionage and other under-cover work. Yet it seems important to emphasize that in general the greatest service that this agency can perform during a national emergency is to continue to conserve wildlife as an invaluable natural resource that is at all times essential to the national welfare.

Wildlife conditions in the United States are not yet what they should be everywhere. Those that are favorable are the result of years of planning and carrying out corrective measures that were sorely needed after unwise exploitation. Only in recent years has there been a definite and well-implemented national program to restore and conserve wildlife. In the 55 years since its beginning as a

small unit of three employees concerned with research in economic ornithology, the Biological Survey at the time of its merger with the Bureau of Fisheries at the close of the year had developed into an action as well as a research agency and had become the instrument of a strong national purpose to administer wildlife resources intelligently. The final year of its separate existence was a climax of accomplishment, and its enlarged opportunities as part of the Fish and Wildlife Service are faced with confidence and enthusiasm.

ORGANIZATION CHANGES

The fiscal year 1940 was characterized largely by efforts to improve efficiency by perfecting governmental organization for carrying on conservation activities, the actual work being in the main a continuation of programs already under way looking toward the ultimate objective of sound wildlife restoration. On the first day of the fiscal year the Biological Survey became a part of the Department of the Interior, entering into closer cooperation with other agencies of the Department, including the Bureau of Fisheries, which had simultaneously been transferred to it from the Department of Commerce. A continuance of cooperation with agencies of the Department of Agriculture on matters related to wildlife was agreed to by a formal memorandum.

During the course of the fiscal year the Food Habits research laboratory, after 55 years in Washington, D. C., was transferred to new quarters at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge, Md. Under authority of Reorganization Plan No. II, the Secretary directed the transfer of the Wildlife Division of the National Park Service to the Biological Survey, which became effective on January 1, 1940. Plans also were completed for a reorganization of field work in the United States, the nine regions being rearranged into five. On the last day of the year, in accordance with the President's Reorganization Plan No. III, the consolidation of the Biological Survey and the Bureau of Fisheries to form the Fish and Wildlife Service became effective. Through these changes the Federal Government enters the fiscal year 1941 better organized than ever before to carry on the work of wildlife restoration.

OTHER EVENTS OF THE YEAR

The outstanding events of the year in connection with programs and policies already under way may be summarized as follows:

Research on Game Birds

Canada goose studies.-Investigations of Canada geese and the factors influencing their increase were conducted in Utah, Oregon, and

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California, and studies of their feeding habits were made in the Great Basin and in the Northwest.

Experiments in marsh burning.-On the Sabine and Lacassine Refuges, La., experimental burning of marshes indicated that fire is an important tool in management for geese, as an estimated 500,000 geese were attracted to these refuges after the burning.

Industrial operations in wildlife habitat.-Studies were made of wildlife problems on the Santee-Cooper Power and Navigation Project in South Carolina for safeguarding a major winter-concentration area for waterfowl and an ideal river-bottom and forest habitat for one of the purest strains of wild turkey in eastern North America.

Mosquito control and waterfowl habitat.-A detailed experimental project was set up at the Bombay Hook Refuge, Del., and gratifying results were obtained in demonstrating control of salt-marsh mosquitoes with minimum injury to waterfowl habitat.

Quail-nutrition studies.-In investigations on bobwhites, the nutritive value and palatability of several native quail foods were studied and it was developed that common salt is a valuable aid in combating cannibalism among both growing and adult birds.

Fur-Production Investigations

Disposal of Federal furs.-A unified policy was established for handling and disposing of all furs that become the property of the Bureau.

Import quota on foxes.-Largely through cooperation with fur farmers and Federal agencies, an import quota on silver foxes was established, thus preventing the dumping of foreign pelts on the American market and serving to maintain prices paid for silver fox pelts.

Exceptional prices for pelts. Of unusual interest was the sale of a single Norwegian platinum fox pelt for $11,000 and an entire lot of 400 platinum skins for more than $500 each.

Other Wildlife Studies

New laboratories at Research Refuge.-Completion of the C. Hart Merriam Laboratory (named for the first chief of this agency) made available a three-story structure to house the former in-Washington staff of the Food Habits laboratory, and doubling the size of the Henry W. Henshaw Laboratory (named for the second chief) provided needed facilities for wildlife-disease research. These laboratories and a 3.000-acre wood and cultivated tract make extensive research possible on wildlife problems peculiar to the Eastern States.