122 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion, the possibility of securing an adequate supply of hay for next 

 Avinter, the location of available sites for winter refuges, and the 

 practicability of transferring ellc to other localities. As an experi- 

 ment two small herds were transferred to the National Bison Range 

 and the "Wichita Game Refuge, and careful consideration has been 

 given to the feasibility of moving others to the Medicine Bow 

 Mountains and the Big Horn Range next winter. In short, a 

 thorough study is being made of the elk problem in all its phases, 

 and a report on the subject will soon be ready. 



IMPORTATIONS. 



The necessity for constant watchfulness to prevent the introduc- 

 tion of foreign birds and mammals likely to become pests continues 

 to be manifest. Three mongooses brought to New York in February, 

 1911, were promptly killed on board ship, and one mongoose and two 

 flying foxes on exhibition at Kansas City were placed in the safe 

 custody of zoological parks. 



The importation of European partridges, which last year dropped 

 from 30,000 to 18,000, rose again to 36,507. While this increase 

 seems to show a growth, or at least a continuance, of the popularity 

 of this bird for stocking covers, yet from other sources it is evident 

 that repeated failures to acclimatize it have had a discouraging 

 •effect. It is important to note that 10,000 of the partridges imported 

 in the current year were consigned to one destination — the State of 

 Iowa, which has undertaken the experiment of acclimatization on an 



Unusually large scale. 



BIRD RESERVATIONS. 



One new bird reservation was established during the year on the 

 Clear Lake Reservoir in the northern part of California, a few miles 

 southeast of Klamath Lake. This reservaticm, which increased the 

 total number to 52, is an important breeding ground for birds. 

 Owing to the growing importance of questions arising in connection 

 with three of the reservations in Oregon and Idaho, an inspector was 

 appointed to visit them from time to time. Adjustment of relations 

 with the public in connection with the maintenance of the Deer Flat 

 Reservation will require careful consideration. The Deer Flat Reser- 

 voir is the stopping place for thousands of ducks and many other 

 waterfowl in the fall migration ; it promises also to be an important 

 nesting ground for waterfowl in the future. It is essential, therefore, 

 that it receive special attention if its purpose as a bird reservation is 

 to be maintained. The lake, however, is situated only 6 miles from 

 Caldwell and is likely to become a summer resort. A trolley line 

 connects it with Caldwell, and boats have been placed on the water 

 for the use of excursionists. It may be found necessary to keep part 



