Report of Field Agents 303 



also an authorized game-warden both of California and Oregon. With the patrol 

 boat "Grebe" furnished him by the National Association, Mr. Lewis has done 

 most effective work. His recent arrest of the Mayor of Merrill, a small town 

 between Lower Klamath and Tule Lakes, and three other prominent citizens, 

 for shooting Ducks out of season has had a good effect throughout that part of 

 the country, for there has been considerable more respect paid to game laws. 



Warden Claud Hibbard, who is in charge of the Malheur Lake Reservation, 

 has been working in conjunction with the residents through that part of the coun- 

 try, and has secured good protection for all the birds on the reserve. Mr. Hibbard 

 writes, " I believe we have accomplished a great deal by gaining the sympathy 

 and cooperation of the residents about the lake. I believe that next season the 

 residents almost to a man will he helping in every way they can to preserve the 

 birds and enforce the law. " 



The sentiment for bird protection all through the Northwest is continually 

 growing stronger. In certain fruit-growing sections, there has been some com- 

 plaint against birds for destroying fruit; but this has been only against one or 

 two species in particular. Professor F. E. L. Beal, of the Biological Survey, has 

 recently visited the fruit-growing sections in Washington and Oregon, and says 

 that, almost without exception, the farmers and fruit-growers understand thor- 

 oughly the economic value of wild birds. As a general rule, they express regret 

 that there are not more song birds. Professor Beal's work during the coming 

 year through the orchard-growing sections of the Pacific Northwest will furnish 

 us scientific data that are needed in relation to birds and the fruit-growing in- 

 dustry. 



At the last meeting of the Oregon Conservation Association, complaint 

 was made by timbermen in some sections of the state because insects were caus- 

 ing the destruction of pine and fir timber. As our wild birds are the natural 

 check against these insect pests, efforts will be made to get better bird protection 

 in order to save the forests. A campaign of education will be carried on in this 

 line. 



Legislation during the past year on the Pacific coast has been very favorable 

 for Audubon work. There has been no backward movement. A number of minor 

 changes have been made in game laws. In Oregon, all the old game laws were 

 repealed and an entirely new code adopted. Besides shortening the seasons and 

 reducing the bag limit on game-birds, we were fortunate in securing the passage 

 of laws closing the season entirely for elk, mountain sheep, antelope, does and 

 spotted fawn. Laws were also passed giving protection to Doves, Wild Pigeons, 

 and all shore- and wading-birds. Another law of considerable importance pre- 

 vents the burning or setting fire to Tules, during the spring and summer, where 

 Ducks, Geese and other water-birds are accustomed to nest. 



No change was made in the Model Law in Washington or Oregon, but in 

 California it was made stricter. Besides this, a law was enacted establishing 

 March 7 as Bird and Arbor Day, to be observed by all public schools and edu- 



