THE ENEMIES OF WILD LIFE 207 



it not less than $5,000. In July, 1917, 2 male wolves were 

 killed in Wyoming which in May had destroyed 150 sheep 

 and 7 colts. Another pair of wolves killed near Opal, Wyo., 

 were reported to have killed about $4,000 worth of stock a 

 year. Another Wyoming wolf, trapped in June, 1918, had 

 killed 30 cattle during the spring. These figures indicate 

 the destructive powers of predatory animals. 



During the year ending June 30, 1919, the following num- 

 bers of predatory animals were taken by hunters under the 

 direction of the United States Biological Survey: 



Wolves 584 Bob-cats 4,123 



Coyotes 27,100 Lynxes 43 



Cougars 149 Bears 81 



In the case of especially destructive animals, exceptionally 

 skilled hunters and trappers are detailed to capture such 

 animals as rapidly as they are reported, and it is stated that 

 the success in capturing them has resulted in a great addi- 

 tion to the meat output of the ranges. 



In response to my inquiries respecting the organization 

 of the Biological Survey of the United States Department 

 of Agriculture for the control of predatory animals, Dr. E. 

 W. Nelson, chief of the Bureau, has very kindly furnished 

 me with a memorandum giving full details of the manner in 

 which this important work is carried on, from which state- 

 ment, which is dated March, 1917, the following account has 

 been prepared : 



The infested area is divided into ten districts with an 

 inspector in charge of the work in each district, and an in- 

 spector at large is continually in the field co-ordinating and 

 supervising the entire work. The districts are as follows: 



