292 ANITUAL REPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



establislied, 7 (including 1 calf) ; elk, 22 (not including calves) ; 

 and deer, 6 (not including fawns). 



Niobrara Eeservation, Vale^^tine, Nebr. The big-game animals 

 are at present held in two inclosures of about 200 acres each. The 

 remainder of the reservation, about 4,500 acres north and about 9,000 

 acres south of the Niobrara River, is being inclosed in a stock-proof 

 fence. The reservation is stocked with the following: Bison, 19 

 (not including calves) ; elk, 42 (not including calves) ; white-tailed 

 deer, 2; Canada geese, 8. Pinnated and sharp-tailed grouse and 

 other useful ground-nesting birds are increasing in numbers. 



Two abandoned military structures are being salvaged for use 

 in repairs of other buildings, and arrangements are being made for 

 disposal under condemnation proceedings of the old "Administra- 

 tion Building." 



A wire suspension footbridge has been built across the river, one 

 dam constructed, and water from one spring conserved. By special 

 efforts the prairie dogs were greatly reduced, possibly extirpated, 

 thus saving considerable pasturage for the bison and elk. 



BIRD RESERVATIONS. 



On 10 of the 69 bird reservations, paid warden service has been 

 maintained throughout the year, permanent warden service having 

 been established at the Belle Fourche, S. Dak. ; Big Lake, Ark. ; and 

 Strawberry Valley, Utah, reservations. At 8 other reservations 

 part-time warden service is maintained during the nesting periods, 

 the hunting season, or at times when serious trespass is likely to 

 occur. Through the cooperation of the Reclamation Service, a 

 general measure of protection is provided on most of the 19 bird 

 reservations located within reclamation projects. 



At the Minidoka Reservation, Idaho, a beginning has been made 

 of making two islands of from 100 to 300 acres each, more attrac- 

 tive nesting and feeding places for useful birds, and important 

 species of aquatic plants useful for food for waterfowl have been 

 introduced into Lake Walcott. Certain projected and necessary 

 improvements could not be carried out on account of labor shortage. 



At the Belle Fourche Reservation, S. Dak., permanent warden 

 service has been provided, warden's quarters have been constructed, 

 and a large area suitable for nesting and feeding places for wild 

 ducks has been protected by fencing. 



At the Big Lake Reservation, Ark., substantial progress has been 

 made in locating, straightening, and defining the boundaries. Re- 

 ports from various outside sources indicate that the reservation is 

 now serving the purpose for which it was established. 



At Deer Flat Reservation, Idaho, projected improvements were 

 postponed on account of unsettled conditions. 



At the Malheur and Klamath Reservations, Oreg., deplorable con- 

 ditions exist on account of uncertainty concerning the status of 

 certain lands embraced within these reservations. These conditions 

 are under investigation, and it is confidently expected that both 

 these reservations, which are of world-wide fame as natural breed- 

 ing places for birds, and which should be unique and valuable assets 

 not only for the immediate locality but also for the Nation, will be 

 permanently preserved for the public benefit, and not be sacrificed 

 for the temporary advantage of a few interested persons. 



