242 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRIOULTUBE. 



Hawaiian Islands Keservation. — Throiigli cooperation with the 

 Treasury Department, officers of the United States Coast Guard 

 cutter Thetis^ stationed at Honohilu, made an investigation of the 

 islands comprising this reservation, covering a period from March 

 18 to April 3. So far as noted the conditions of bird life on Bird 

 Island, French Frigate Shoals, Lysianski, and Ocean Islands were 

 normal, and there were no indications that the birds inhabiting these 

 islands had been disturbed. On Laysan Island, however, it was dis- 

 covered that poachers had been at work and that between 150,000 and 

 200,000 birds, consisting of the black-footed albatross, frigate bird, 

 black-faced booby, and the Laysan albatross, chiefly the last-named 

 species, had been killed for their plumage, the breast feathers only 

 being taken. Apparently the smaller species were not disturbed, 

 including the little colony of Laysan teal. The bird life of Laysan 

 through this depletion is by no means wiped out, and no doubt in a 

 comparatively short time will regain its normal strength, provided 

 it can be protected from the atrocities of poachers. Owing to the 

 remoteness of the islands and the cost of establishing a permanent 

 warden service there, the protection of the reservation is exceedingly 

 difficult. So far the department has been compelled to rely chiefly 

 for the protection of the colonies on occasional visits of the Coast 

 Guard cutter Thetis^ which the Treasury Department has gener- 

 ously detailed for this service when possible. 



Klamath Lake, Oreg. — After several years of negotiation prac- 

 tically all private holdings of land have been eliminated from the 

 reservation. These eliminations do not in any way affect its value 

 as a breeding place and refuge for bird life. Conditions on the 

 reservation have been favorable, with the exception that on May 5 

 a tule fire burned from Midland south along the railroad grade to 

 the straits and halfway to the lower lake, destroying many young 

 geese, large numbers of ducks' nests, and young mink. 



Lake Malheur, Oreg. — The warden in charge of this reservation 

 has been furnished a new steel-frame rowboat and also a motorcycle, 

 that he may more adequately patrol this very important bird reser- 

 vation. Large numbers of waterfowl here find breeding and feeding 

 places, as well as a safe refuge. 



Reservations in Florida. — With but few exceptions, conditions on 

 the various bird reservations in Florida remain favorable, and bird 

 life is increasing. On Bird Key, Tortugas, it is estimated by ex- 

 perts who visited the island in May, that at the end of the hatching 

 season there will be between 115,000 and 120,000 sooty and noddy 

 terns on the rookeries. At Matlacha Pass thousands of Louisiana 

 herons nested, and on other reservations as well this species seems 

 to be increasing satisfactorily. At Indian Key there is a marked 

 increase of all forms of bird life, and the reservation is growing in 

 importance. On Passage Key fully 50 per cent of the birds were 

 destroyed by a severe tornado which visited the island on June 9, up- 

 rooting many high trees ; herons which nest in the tops of the trees 

 suffered more severely than other birds. 



MONTANA NATIONAL BISON RANGE. 



An addition of 21 calves born during the past year brings the 

 total number of bison now on the National Range to 137. The herd 

 is in excellent condition. Elk and antelope continue to do well; 



