266 ANNUAL REPOBTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AG-RICITLTURE. 



life zones of Wyominff was published. A report cm the mammals of 

 Panama, the result of a biological survey of the Canal Zone carried 

 on in 1911 and 1912 in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution, 

 is in press. Completed reports awaiting publication include lists 

 of the birds of New Mexico, the mammals of New Mexico, the mam- 

 mals of Wyoming, the birds of Texas, and the birds of Alabama. Ar- 

 rangements are in progress for th€ publication of some of these re- 

 ports by the States interested. 



BREEDING GROUNDS OF MIGRATORY WILD FOWL. 



An investigation of the breeding areas of migratory wild fowl in 

 North Dakota, which was begun in June, 1917, was continued in 

 July. After the close of this work a similar investigation was made 

 of Swan Lake, Minn. A report covering the results of an examina- 

 tion of the latter area was published by the Minnesota Department of 

 Fish and Game. During June, 1918, the investigation of the breed- 

 ing grounds of wild fowl in central North Dakota was resumed. 



GAME IN NATIONAL PARKS. 



At the request of the National Park Service, Department of the 

 Interior, an investigation of the distribution, abundance, and habits 

 of the game and other mammals of the Yellowstone and Glacier 

 National Parks was conducted between July 1 and October 1, 1917, 

 in cooperation with the National Park Service. Preliminary reports 

 containing briefly annotated lists of these two areas were published 

 by the National Park Service in their educational literature during 

 the year. More complete reports on both of these areas are being 

 published by the Department of the Interior. 



RELATION OF RODENTS TO FORAGE AND CROP PRODUCTION. 



During the spring of 1918 field investigations were begun in Ari- 

 zona, Colorado, Wyoming, and North Dakota to secure correct in- 

 formation concerning the damage to crops and forage by prairie- 

 dogs, jack rabbits, and other rodents. Special quadrats, fenced and 

 unfenced, were used where these pests occurred, to be kept under 

 close observation and reported upon at th,e end of the season. The 

 results have already shown that these investigations will yield data 

 of much practical value, especially in connection with the effort to 

 improve the forage production of the vast stock ranges of the West. 



MAMMAL AND BIRD RESERVATIONS. 



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

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

 reservations; one — Niobrara — created as a bird reservation, is used 

 for both birds and big game ; and 69 are bird reservations. 



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

 301 bison, 212 elk, 51 antelope, and 15 deer. The health of the game 

 on the reservations has been excellent and the increase good. 



Efforts have been made by stock growers to secure use of the bison 

 range near Dixon, Mont., for pasturing large numbers of cattle 

 and horses. Such use of this or any other fenced game preserve 

 would seriouaiy jeo»>«'<-dize the health and even the existence of the 



