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BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 269 



was born prematurely, and a 15-year-old cow and calf of this season 

 died during the year. The preserve contains 71 elk, with further 

 returns to be obtained concerning the young born. 



The antelope herd numbers 15, of which 5 are young born during 

 the past spring. During the summer of 1917 there were 23 antelope on 

 this preserve, but 13 of these were killed in the fall and winter by 

 coyotes, which had gained access to the inclosure. The warden tried 

 for some time to trap and poison these animals, but without success. 

 Finally a Government predatory animal hunter was stationed on 

 the preserve and caught 19 coyotes, most of them outside the fence. 

 The holes under the fence through which the coyotes obtained access 

 have been closed and every effort made to increase the coyote-proof 

 character of the inclosure. Since 1913, when the preserve was 

 stocked with big game, 34 coyotes have been caught in this vicinity, 

 14 of them inside the preserve fence. The increase of 5 fawns from 

 the 10 surviving members of the herd is encouraging and extraordi- 

 nary precautions will be taken to protect them during the coming 

 winter. 



A fire started by an electric storm broke out during July, but, with 

 the help of rangers from the Harney Forest, was extinguished within 

 two or three days without doing material damage. On June 23 a 

 cloudburst and flood washed out the crossings and broke the fence 

 in five places, each break being about 7 rods in width. Prompt re- 

 pairs by the warden prevented the escape of any of the game 

 animals. 



During the last park season, visitors to Wind Cave numbered 

 16,742, many of the visitors coming solely to see the animals, a never- 

 ending source of interest to the public. 



SuLLYS Hill Game Preserve, North Dakota. — Early this fiscal 

 year a 5-room frame cottage was completed, together with a frame 

 barn, as headquarters for the resident warden. Warden service has 

 been maintained throughout the year. 



There are now on the preserve 14 elk and 5 deer in good condition. 

 Negotiations have been continued to secure a small herd of bison for 

 this preserve, but various difficulties have occurred from time to time 

 to prevent this. 



The preserve is a favorite picnic ground for several thousands of 

 people who go there for an outing each summer. A small additional 

 expenditure to increase the size of this preserve and to add some im- 

 provements would greatly increase its attractiveness and usefulness 

 to the public. 



Niobrara Reservation, Nebraska. — The bison herd on this reser- 

 vation now numbers 21. There are 37 adult elk, but the number of 

 calves born during the spring is still unknown. Two mule deer also 

 are on the reservation, making a total of 60 big-game animals. 



An additional pasture of 200 acres to accommodate the big game on 

 the reservation has been inclosed by a substantial fence, the original 

 200-acre pasture being overstocked. Steps are also being taken 

 toward the construction of several miles of fencing against cattle on 

 the southern part of the reservation to allow a growth of better cover 

 for encouraging the nesting of sharp-tailed and pinnated grouse. 



