BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 243 



several young have been born, and the elk now number about 30 and 

 the antelope 13. An unusually heavy rainfall during the spring has 

 resulted in the heaviest growth of forage since the range was estab- 

 lished. Fences have been kept in repair, irrigation ditches improved, 

 and all other work necessary to the proper maintenance of the range 

 carried on. 



WIND CAVE NATIONAL GAME PRESERVE. 



The work of properly maintaining the Wind Cave preserve is now 

 being carried on in a satisfactory manner, and a permanent warden 

 has been appointed through civil-service examination. The construc- 

 tion of an 88-inch woven-wire fence, 8.67 miles in length, was com- 

 pleted in November, inclosing 4,160 acres of land. Through the gen- 

 erosity of the Boone and Crockett Club 13 antelope were added to 

 the preserve on October 18, the animals, in charge of an agent of the 

 bureau, being shipped without loss or injury from Brooks, Alberta, 

 Canada. Since the last annual report the number of buffalo was 

 increased by the birth of 4 calves. The total number of animals now 

 on the preserve is 40 — 16 buffalo, 9 antelope, 14 elk, and 1 deer. 

 Losses by death during the year were 2 buffalo (including 1 calf), 3 

 elk, and 4 antelope. The condition of the remaining animals is ex- 

 cellent, and the outlook for an interesting and valuable preserve is 

 encouraging. 



NIOBRARA GAME RESERVATION. 



By reason of its advantageous location, the Niobrara preserve gives 

 promise of becoming one of the most important under the supervision 

 of the bureau. The continued large number of visitors to the pre- 

 serve during the summer months — 3,563 during the calendar year- 

 indicates that so far as public interest is concerned no mistake was 

 made in its establishment as a bird reservation and game preserve. 

 Conditions continue to improve and the warden in charge reports 

 excellent prospects for harvesting a good crop of grain and hay to 

 feed the animals. During the year 1 buffalo and 7 elk calves were 

 born. The animals now number 41, and comprise 11 buffalo, 28 elk, 

 and 2 deer, all in good condition. As they become more accustomed 

 to their surroundings the animals will, no doubt, increase rapidly. 

 Losses reported during the past year included_ the death of 1 male 

 elk calf during the severe winter, and 2 deer — a doe and a buck, the 

 doe being killed by lightning and the buck dying from unknown 

 causes. There are now 7 Canada wild geese, 4 having been lost, 

 2 by escape from the reservation and 2 by death during the winter. 

 The unusually stormy winter caused the loss of nearly all the 

 pheasants. 



WYOMING ELK REFUGE. 



With the purchase of a tract of land in Jackson Hole, consisting 

 of 1,240 acres (known as the Miller Eanch). preparations were made 

 at once for active work at the Wyoming Elk Refuge. An agent of 

 the bureau was put in charge, and necessary maintenance equipment, 

 including a team of horses, was purchased. Negotiations are in 

 progress for the purchase of an additional 520-acre tract, which, with 

 the 840 acres of vacant public lands already set apart for this refuge, 

 will make a total of 2,600 acres. Sufficient hay land is thus secured 

 to insure a crop for feeding a large number of elk during the winter. 



