six, six ; last year seven, sixty-five, fifteen, twentv-three 

 and seven. The Jack 's Lake region has not been Visited 

 since 1917, but allowing to it tlie same number as this 

 year, the total count for 1919 would be one hundred 

 and sixty; for 1918, one hundred and ninety-nine. 

 Moreover, the 1919 count was more complete and 

 covers a longer route. This would indicate a consider- 

 able decrease in the number of antelope. 



I am of the opinion that this area combines ad- 

 vantages superior to any at present available for a 

 National Bird and Mammal Reservation on the public 

 domain with the least actual damage to vested interests. 

 For the following reasons : 



1. It lies between the Malheur Lake and Klamath 

 Lake Bird Reservations, perhaps one hundred and 

 fifty miles from each. Thus the supervisory adminis- 

 tration would be simplified. 



2. It has the largest number of sage grouse and 

 antelope of any similar area of public land. Neither 

 of these species can be maintained so readily and 

 successfully on any existing reservation or National 

 Park. 



3. Besides a large population of sage grouse and 

 prong-horn antelope, migratory waterfowl also visit 

 the streams, springs, and playas. In addition, it is suit- 

 able for deer and mountain sheep. The mountain sheep 

 were exterminated only a few years ago. A few mule 

 deer still remain. 



4. If the reservation is made as large as suggested, 

 namely, approximately sixty miles from north to south 

 and an average width of al)out twenty miles, it will 

 include the summer and winter ranges of the antelope 

 and the north and south drift of the sage grouse. Thus 

 the expense of fencing which is necessary for a smaller 

 area will be avoided. Arrangements for patrolling and 

 wprden service can be arranged with the few settlers 

 (eight to twelve) now occupying this tract. For the 

 regulation of grazing we have as precedent the bene- 

 ficent results of the improved methods inaugurated by 



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