Preface 



thoughtful attention to the subject of game 

 refuges that is to say, areas where game shall be 

 absolutely free from interference or molestation, 

 as it is to-day in the Yellowstone Park to be 

 situated within the forest reserves; and as is else- 

 where shown, it has investigated a number of the 

 forest reserves in order to learn something of their 

 suitability for game refuges. It appears certain 

 that only by means of such refuges can some forms 

 of our large mammals be preserved from extinc- 

 tion. The first step to be taken to bring about the 

 establishment of these safe breeding grounds is to 

 secure legislation transferring the Bureau of 

 Forestry from the Land Office to the Department 

 of Agriculture. After this shall have been ac- 

 complished, the question of establishing such game 

 refuges may properly come before the officials of 

 the Government for action. 



Among the notable articles in the present vol- 

 ume, one of the most important is Mr. Roosevelt's 

 account of his visit to the Yellowstone National 

 Park in April, 1903. The Park is an object les- 

 son, showing very clearly what complete game pro- 

 tection will do to perpetuate species, and Mr. 



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