290 ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



quadrats established on grazing areas where rodents abounded, 

 studies of tlie damage infiictcd by these pests were instituted. During 

 the spring of 1919 a careful examination of these special areas was 

 made and substantial progress in the elucidation of these problem!, 

 has been effected. New quadrats were also installed. The results of 

 this investigation Avill have great practical value in relation to forage 

 on the western range lands. 



MAMMAL AND BIRD RESERVATIONS. 



The Federal big game and bird reservations in charge of this bu- 

 reau, remain, as heretofore, 74 in number. Four are big game reser- 

 vations; one, the Niobrara, created as a bird reservation, is used for 

 botli birds and big game ; and G9 are bird reservations. 



On June 30, 1918, the big game reservations contained a total of 3G8 

 bison. 274 elk, 54 antelope, and 21 deer, an increase in each species 

 over the number reported last year. 



The Government's seventh bison herd was established at Sullys Riil 

 by the gift of the Park Commissioners of Portland, Oreg., of a 

 nucleus herd of 6 animals. The Government's bison herds now ag- 

 gregate about 950 head. Losses of antelope have been checked at tlic 

 Wind Cave Reservation. S. Dak., and at the National Bison Range, 

 Mont. 



The number of visitors to the large game reservations is increas- 

 ing, notably at Sullys Hill. Wind Cave, and at the National Bison 

 Range. Trains on the new branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad 

 from Dixon to Poison, Mont., now stop at Moiese close to the en- 

 trance to the main gate of the National Bison Range. 



On the Gulf reservations arrangements were completed, as required 

 by law (39 Stat., HOG), for assuming the full costs of warden service, 

 formerh^ paid in part by the National Association of Audubon So- 

 cieties. It became necessary also to purchase and maintain a patrol 

 motor l)oat at Big Lake Reservation, a service formcrh/ provided by 

 the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission. 



Under the protection of the wardens, the useful birds on all the big 

 game reservations have notably increased, but particularly on the Na- 

 tional Bison Range and the Winter Elk Refuge, incidental to the pro- 

 tection of these reservations for mammals. 



MAMMAL HESERVATIONS. 



Winter Ei.k Refuge, Jacksox, AVyo. — The main purpose of this 

 reservation, which now has an inclosed area of 2,7G0 acres, is to in- 

 crease the forage for elk bv a limited amount of cultivation. The 

 first cutting of ha}' is stacked and fed to the elk when there is no 

 iivailablc pasturage, and the remainder is left to be grazed by these 

 animals. Besides the hay raised, 2,103 bushels of oats were harvested 

 from 56 acres, incidental to preparing ground for alfalfa. In the 

 spring this area was disked and scedecl, and in addition 140 acres 

 having an inferior stand of alfalfa were dragged and reseeded to 

 increase the yield of hay. 



At the beginning of the year the hay on hand totaled 755 tons, 120 

 of which was cut in 1917 and G35 in 1918. ]5ecause of the li^lit snow- 

 fall over the entire region, the maximum number of elk coming down 



