BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 377 



ville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass, Tex. The number of quail entered 

 from Mexico was 24,387, but the number released from quarantine 

 was 23,473. Quail disease appeared among the birds entered at 

 Eagle Pass and Laredo. Entries were suspended at Eagle Pass for 

 three weeks, and after March 9 no further importations were made. 

 At Laredo no entries were received in quarantine during the investi- 

 gation of the presence of the disease. At Laredo 2.")3 birds died 

 during the quarantine and 59 at Eagle Pass, but at the latter point 

 540 birds, many of them infected with quail disease, were returned 

 to Mexico. On the whole, more quail were imported than for several 

 years past, but in spite of the long season and the special facilities 

 provided for entry and quarantine, the results were not altogether 

 satisfactor}'. Several reports received by the department indicate 

 that a number of the birds died after reaching destination, and in one 

 case a large proportion of the birds ordered by one of the State com- 

 missions late in the season died within a few days after arrival. 



Importations of quail from Mexico began about 1910, and during 

 the 10 years that entries have been made the total number importecl, 

 including entries of the present year, was approximately 92,000, of 

 which about 56,000 were brought in during the seasons of 1917 and 

 1920. The success of tliese importations as a whole is exceedingly 

 doubtful and those contemplating future importations should study 

 the outcome of previous importations to avoid as many detrimental 

 factors as possible. 



CONSERVATION OF MARSH AREAS. 



P'or two years the Biological Survey has made a special effort to 

 draw the attention of all sportsmen, including State game commis- 

 sions, to the menace to the future of our migratory wild fowl through 

 the drainage of small lakes and swampy arcns on a constantly in- 

 creasing scale. The ajjpreciation of the situation is becoming gen- 

 eral and it is hoped that effective steps may be possible whereby the 

 Federal and State Governments may secure permanent title to a 

 numl)er of such areas to l)e maintained in perpetuity as bird pre- 

 serves. The greater number of these preserves should be guarded as 

 sanctuaries during the breeding season and be maintained as public 

 hunting grounds for the benefit of all citizens during the open 

 sea.son. A small number should be held as sanctuaries throughout 

 the year to serve as reservoirs to supply other areas with wild fowl. 

 Before the drainage of such water areas is undertaken it would be 

 desirable to have experts make a careful survey and report on the 

 relative value of each area for agricultural purposes and, in its 

 natural condition, as a producer of wild fowl, furs (muskrats. etc.), 

 fish, and ice, and as a ]niblic recreation ground whereby out-of-door 

 sports may be maintained and the health and well-being of the citi- 

 zens promoted. Other important uses for lake and marsh areas in 

 many places are the maintenance of the normal underground Avater 

 level, affecting springs, wells, aud vegetation, often at considerable 

 distances, and the prevention of erosion by delaying the run-off of 

 flood water. 



24435— AOR 1020 2r. 



