G72 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and Laysan Island, Hawaii. In both cases they have increased 

 enormously, and efforts will be made to reduce them, as they are 

 iih'oady becoming a serious pest. 



The following notes on some of the more important reservations 

 show varied conditions under which the birds are protected: 



Belle Fourciie, S. Dak. — Educational work was carried on quite 

 extensively in this vicinity, and prizes were offered for the best essays 

 on birds submitted by the school children in the county. On April 

 19 Bird Day was observed for the first time in the schools at Belle 

 Fourche, and our inspector cooperated Avith the teachers in arousing 

 an interest in the study and protection of birds. Sentiment in favor 

 of the reservation is increasing, and, although there is no regular 

 warden at this point, few attempts are made to violate the regulations, 

 and most of tlie residents seem to be in favor of stopping spring 

 shooting. On account of the isolated situation of the lake it will be 

 necessary to have a resident Avardcn for at least three months during 

 the hunting season. This is a great refuge for waterfowl and is 

 practically the only place in the county where there are spring ducks. 

 Wlien the project is completed the reservoir will have a water surface 

 of some 8,200 acres and may become an important breeding place for 

 ducks. Its importance as a refuge for migratory birds in spring and 

 fall has already been demonstrated. 



Breton Island, La, — Reports show that the birds are steadily 

 increasing and comprise several thousand laughing gulls, brown peli- 

 cans, royal terns, and skimmers. No ducks nest on the reservation, 

 but they collect in countless numbers before migrating to the north, 

 so that the reservation serves as an important refuge for the ducks 

 vs^hich winter in the Delta region of the Mississippi River. 



Clear Lake, Cal, — The limits of this reservation were reduced 

 during the past year to eliminate the dam and the keeper's house, 

 but the area excluded was so small that it in no way affected the value 

 of the reservation. With the completion of the dam the water of the 

 lake has risen more than 10 feet. With its 55 miles of shore line the 

 reservation is a great breeding place for waterfowl, including hun- 

 dreds of geese and ducks, gulls, and western grebes. Many sage hens 

 and a few white herons are also to be seen. 



Cold Springs, Oreg. — No regular warden has yet been appointed, 

 but public feeling is in favor of the reservation, and the hunters in 

 the vicinity have volunteered to use their influence in seeing that the 

 birds are protected. One flagrant violation of the reservation law 

 resulted in several arrests for shooting waterfowl. No indictments 

 were secured, but so much publicity w^as given the matter that no 

 further trouble is anticipated. From September to May thousands 

 of ducks and geese stop at the reservation, and the geese remain in 

 large numbers all through the winter. 



Deer Flat, Idaho. — On account of the hard winter and late spring 

 there was practically no spring shooting about the reservation. So 

 far a volunteer warden has looked after the birds; but as tJiis is 

 rapidly becoming an important nesting ground for waterfowl, a 

 resident warden will be appointed to see that the regulations are 

 properly enforced. As the hike is becoming quite a popular summer 

 resort and numerous boats and launches are operated, regulations 



