REPORT OP BOARD OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS. 11 



The studj^ of the life, abundance and the conditions most favorable to 

 the maintenace of our edible crab (Cancer magister) was begun under 

 the auspices of the Board in October of 1910. The work is in the hands 

 of F. W. Weymouth of Stanford University, who is a recognized 

 authority. At the time this investigation was instituted little was 

 known as to where or when these crabs propagate, or the life of their 

 young. 



Professor Harold Heath of Stanford University, at our direction, 

 began in December of 1910 a research intended to disclose the life and 

 range of our edible clams. Very little or nothing is known of the life 

 of these valuable mollusks. There appears, however, to be only a 

 Jimited area in this State which affords opportunity for their existence, 

 and in consequence, we believe that there is great danger that, with 

 the increasing demand and the present unrestricted methods of digging 

 them, the clam beds of the State may be speedily exhausted. We hope, 

 through the efforts and studies of Professor Heath and his assistants, 

 to be able to lay sufficient facts before the legislature to warrant the 

 adoption of measures that will insure the future supply. 



The spiny lobster, or "crawfish" fishery of the southern coast is a 

 very important one, but like the other fisheries has been greatly reduced 

 by the heavy operations of recent years. To obtain the accurate infor- 

 mation necessary to any scheme of rehabilitation. Professor Bennet M. 

 Allen of the University of Wisconsin, was engaged in July of 1911 to 

 make a study of this animal. Professor Allen's work has been inter- 

 rupted by the necessity of returning to his university for teaching, but 

 it is hoped that a continuance of his investigation may lay bare many 

 secrets now hidden. 



In August of 1911 Dr. Chas. L. Edwards of the University of South- 

 ern California undertook a study of our abalones. Dr. Edward's 

 preliminary report, which will be found in the Board's 1913 Fish 

 Bulletin No. 1, is a very complete exposition of the need and value of 

 his particular investigation. 



In addition to the investigation that we have begun into the life 

 history of our principal food and game fishes, we have also instituted 

 an investigation of the relations of certain birds to the agricultural 

 interests of the State. Harold C. Bryant, of the State University at 

 Berkeley, has been engaged to conduct the inquiry. We hope to show 

 in what manner each doubtful species of bird affects the farmer and 

 the fruit grower, and what measures are to be taken to encourage the 

 beneficial birds and to exterminate the injurious ones. 



Believing that great good will come from the proper education of our 

 children as to the value of the wild birds and animals to the farming 

 interests of the State, and not alone to the sportsmen and the lovers 

 of nature, we have engaged the services of Gretchen L. Libby, late 

 secretary and lecturer for the Audubon Society of California, to con- 

 duct a campaign throughout the public schools of the State. 



