4° Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



knowledge of the rat increases every year in spite of the extensive 

 investigations made during recent years. When, therefore, we 

 compare what is known of these animals with that of our Eastern 

 game and fur-bearers the contrast is very marked indeed. In 

 spite of all we know there is urgent need of further investigation. 



Proposals for Western Big Game 



The large amount of big game in the West very naturally calls 

 for suggestions for that region. Here also several are made : 



i. Big Game of the National Parks. This might be a study of 

 the life history of the big game in some Western National Park, 

 such as the Yellowstone, Glacier National Park or Rocky Mountain 

 National Park. 



2. Life History of the Mountain Sheep and Goats of Glacier 

 National Park. Study of the detailed life history of the Moun- 

 tain Sheep and Goats of Glacier National Park. 



3. Relation of Beavers to Conservation of Water and Soil. An 

 important study should be made of the relation of beavers to soil, 

 water and fish conservation in the Rocky Mountain region, includ- 

 ing a careful measurement of the areas flooded (made with the 

 assistance of a civil engineer), depth of soil accumulated by dams, 

 and influence of these dams upon fish. With all that is known about 

 the beaver, there is no recent detailed work along these lines since 

 conservation became a live issue. 



4. Game Vermin. A detailed study should be made of the game 

 vermin of a limited area in order to get a better understanding of 

 the character of the " balance of nature " existing between game and 

 game vermin. ,No careful detailed study of this problem has ever 

 been made in America. 



This study could be made in a National Forest or Park. By 

 means of systematic trapping of the live animals, and extensive 

 field observations much important scientific and practical informa- 

 tion could be acquired which would bear upon the " struggle for 

 existence " of game. It should be made a study of their dynamic 

 relations. ■ 



The coyote, bear and mountain lion are being destroyed at a 

 rapid rate because of their relation to grazing, but the relation of 

 these animals to game has not received much attention as a scientific 

 problem. 



