196 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The ranchmen are now appeaUng to Mr. Morrissey for the privi- 

 lege of organizing wolf hunts. He is powerless to grant the 

 permission, yet nothing but good could result from such a hunt, 

 and it should be done now, before the range becomes a game pre- 

 serve. After that, other ways of killing the predatory animals 

 must be adopted. 



Foxes, Coons, and Skunks. — All of these animals are common. 

 I saw -several golden eagles, bald eagles, duck hawks, red-tailed 

 hawks, and marsh hawks. The foxes, raccoons, skunks and duck 

 hawks will destroy large numbers of game birds if they are not 

 held in check. While I am not in favor of attempting to extermi- 

 nate these animals by poisoning them, some protective steps 

 should be taken if the range is to be made a reserve for feathered 

 game. Many trappers would be glad of the opportunity to trap 

 the smaller fur-bearing animals on the range. 



Rattlesnakes. — Rattlesnakes were common before the miners 

 came into the Reserve, but they have performed the valuable serv- 

 ice of almost exterminating them. It is safe to say, therefore, 

 that there will be few deaths among the animals from snake-bites. 



Insect Pests. — Black flies, " deer-flies," and " heel-flies " con- 

 stitute the insect pests that are apt to affect the game. The black 

 flies and deer-flies are not abundant enough to annoy the game 

 much, but the heel-flies attack the hoofs of the animals and make 

 them restless, thus preventing them from feeding and resting 

 quietly. During the fly season the cattle seek the high country. 



Poisonous Plants. — Poison ivy and poison sumach are abundant 

 all over the timbered portion of the range. There is no " loco- 

 weed," but if there was it would not affect the buffalo, as they do 

 not eat it. 



Soap-Holes, etc. — There are no " soap-holes," " quicksands," 

 or dangerous spots of similar character on the range. A deep 

 ravine on the west line is the only place where animals could 

 injure themselves, but the chance of such occurrences is small 

 indeed. 



Prospect Holes. — Mr. Morrissey says there is a law in Okla- 

 homa that prohibits filling in prospect holes. There are about 

 twenty bad prospect holes that would have to filled or fenced. 

 Cattle have tumbled into them and been killed, and Mr. Morrissey 

 lost three or four cattle in that way only last summer. 



Prairie Fires. — The possibility of prairie fires is another danger 

 that needs serious consideration. From the last of October until 

 the I St of April the grass is so luxuriant and dry that it burns like 

 tinder. Prairie fires are of common occurrence. Mr. Morrissey 



