9 2 PROBLEMS IN WILD LIFE CONSERVATION 



Division of Biological Investigations: The work of the 

 Survey might be said to be of three types, investigation, 

 control, and promotion. Three of the line divisions are en- 

 gaged primarily in the first of these, investigation. The 

 Division of Biological Investigations is the oldest, dating 

 back to the original establishment of the Survey in 1885. 

 The Division was originally built around the idea of ex- 

 ploring the country biologically, that is, in making a bio- 

 logical survey. It will be recalled that between 1886-1906 

 this constituted the chief work of the Bureau, and even 

 today, although occupying a relatively less important posi- 

 tion in the Bureau's program, is still an undertaking of the 

 first magnitude. 



At the present time four types of research are being car- 

 ried on by this Division : first, on bird migrations and water- 

 fowl distribution ; second, on the life habits of elk and large 

 game animals; third, on the breeding and management of 

 reindeer, caribou, and musk-ox in Alaska; and fourth, on 

 the relation of wild life to forestry. Migratory bird studies 

 are carried on by trapping migratory birds alive and mark- 

 ing them with metal bands. The bands, numbered consecu- 

 tively, are provided by the Division although the actual 

 work is done by private individuals under license from the 

 Survey as well as by the field men of the Division. Persons 

 taking the birds at a later date are requested to notify the 

 Survey of the number found on the band and the locality 

 where captured. A check upon the locality where the bird 

 was first banded and the locality where later captured indi- 

 cate direction and distance of migration. 



In an effort to determine the approximate number of 

 waterfowl in various parts of the United States upon which 

 to base the statutory bag limit under the Migratory Bird 

 Treaty Act, 25 a waterfowl distribution study was begun in 



25 40 Stat. L. 755. The waterfowl distribution study is sometimes 

 ironically referred to as the " duck census." 



