REPORT OF CHIEF OF BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



Bureau of Biological Survey, 

 Washington, D. C, August 31, 1916. 

 Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith a report on the work of 

 the Bureau of Biological Survey for the fiscal year ended June 30, 

 1916. 



Respectfully, 



Henry W. Henshaw, 

 Chief, Biological Survey. 

 Hon. D. F. Houston, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



WORK OF THE BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



The work of the Bureau of Biological Survey is conducted along 

 five principal lines: (1) Investigations of the food habits of North 

 American birds and mammals in relation to agriculture, in charge 

 of Dr. A. K. Fisher; (2) biological investigations with special ref- 

 erence to the geographic distribution of native animals and plants, in 

 charge of E. W. Nelson; (3) supervision of national bird and mam- 

 mal reservations, and the preservation of native wild game, in charge 

 of Dr. T. S. Palmer; (4) enforcement of the Lacey Act regulating 

 the importation of birds and interstate shipment of game, in charge 

 of W. F. Bancroft; (5) administration of the Federal migratory-bird 

 law, in charge of George A. Lawyer. 



ECONOMIC INVESTIGATIONS. 

 PREDATORY animal control. 



On July 1, 1915, an appropriation of $125,000 became available 

 for use on national forests and the public domain for destroying 

 wolves, coyotes, and other predatory animals. Immediate steps were 

 taken to organize the work on a permanent basis and eight districts 

 were established: (1) Arizona and New Mexico; (2) California and 

 Nevada; (3) Oregon and Washington; (4) Colorado; (5) Idaho; 

 (6) Montana; (7) Utah; and (8) Wyoming. An inspector was 

 placed in charge of each district and an inspector at large has super- 

 vision of all field work. Hunters were employed who devote their 

 entire time to the work. They are not permitted to receive boun- 

 ties from any source, and the skins of all fur-bearing animals taken 

 by them become the property of the Government. A considerable 



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