290 AlS^NUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



quadrats established on grazing areas where rodents abounded, 

 studies of the damage inflicted b}^ these pests Avere instituted. During 

 the spring of 1919 a careful examination of these special areas was 

 made and substantial progress in the elucidation of these problems 

 has been effected. New quadrats were also installed. The results of 

 this investigation will have great practical value in relation to forage 

 on the western range lands. 



MAMMAL AND BIRD RESERVATIONS. 



The Federal big game and bird reservations in charge of this bu- 

 reau, remain, as heretofore, 74 in number. Four are big game reser- 

 vations; one, the Niobrara, created as a bird reservation, is used for 

 both birds and big game ; and 69 are bird reservations. 



On June 30, 1918, the big game reservations contained a total of 368 

 bison, 274 elk, 54 antelope, and 21 deer, an increase in each species 

 over the number reported last year. 



The Government's seventh bison herd Avas established at Sullys Hill 

 by the gift of the Park Commissioners of Portland, Oreg., of a 

 nucleus herd of 6 animals. The Government's bison herds now ag- 

 gregate about 950 head. Losses of antelope have been checked at the 

 Wind Cave EeserA^ation, S. Dak., and at the National Bison Range, 

 Mont. 



The number of visitors to the large game reservations is increas- 

 ing, notably at Sullys Hill, Wind CaA^e, and at the National Bison 

 Range. Trains on the new branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad 

 from Dixon to Poison, Mont., noAV stop at Moiese close to the en- 

 trance to the main gate of the National Bison Range. 



On the Gulf reservations arrangements were completed, as required 

 by hiAA' (39 Stat., 1106), for assuming the full costs of warden service, 

 formerly paid in part by the National Association of Audubon So- 

 cieties. It became necessary also to purchase and maintain a patrol 

 motor boat at Big Lake ReserA^ation, a service formerly provided by 

 the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission. 



Under the protection of the Avardens, the useful birds on all the big 

 game reservations haA'e notably increased, but particularly on the Na- 

 tional Bison Range and the Winter Elk Refuge, incidental to the pro- 

 tection of these reservations for mammals. 



MAMMAL RESERVATIONS. 



Winter Eijv Refuge, Jackson, Wyo. The main purpose of this 

 reservation, Avhich noAV has an inclosed area of 2,760 acres, is to in- 

 crease the forage for elk by a limited amount of cultivation. The 

 lirst cutting of hay is stacked and fed to the elk AA'hen there is no 

 aA'ailable pasturage, and the remainder is left to be grazed by these 

 animals. Besides the hay raised, 2,103 bushels of oats Avere harATsted 

 from 56 acres, incidental to preparing ground for alfalfa. In tlio 

 spring this area Avas disked and seeded, and in addition 140 acres 

 liaving an inferior stand of alfalfa Avere dragged and reseeded to 

 increase the yield of hay. 



At the beghming of the year the liay on liand totaled 755 tons, 120 

 of Avhich Avas cut in 1917 and 635 in 1918. Because of the light snoAv- 

 fall over the entire region, the maximum number of elk coming doAvn 



