Current Station Notes 227 



" One of the statements made in the Bulletin which I was glad to 

 note is that your activities will not be confined exclusively to New 

 York State. There is the same lack of accurate knowledge of wild 

 animal life everywhere." 



The Beaver Investigations 



The present number of the Bulletin is largely devoted to the results 

 of investigations of the beaver. Although the beaver abounded in 

 New York State in primeval days, it became almost extinct on 

 account of the relentless trapping which was permitted. Later, when 

 its loss became appreciated, beavers were imported into the Adi- 

 rondacks where they have again become so abundant that they are 

 now locally injurious. 



Although the beaver has been the subject of more detailed studies, 

 and more books have been written upon this than upon any other 

 native land mammal, yet our need for knowledge of it has grown 

 more rapidly with the shrinkage of the wilderness by the encroach- 

 ments of man than we have been aware. Fifty years ago we were 

 considered relatively well informed on the beaver, while today the 

 whole field needs recultivation by more intensive modern methods. 



A native of this State, Lewis H. Morgan, in 1868 published a 

 classic monograph " The American Beaver and His Works," a book 

 which has not yet been surpassed, and most of our knowledge of this 

 animal has been derived from other regions than this State. Now 

 that New York beavers demand attention investigations are needed 

 to inform ourselves upon the natural history of this species before 

 they can be properly protected and utilized. 



Dr. Johnson's report points out some of the many problems which 

 now need immediate investigation, and much emphasis is placed upon 

 the fact that in the absence of a proper knowledge of them legislation 

 is necessarily provisional and experimental in character. Laws can- 

 not command the respect which they should merit when they rest 

 upon an insecure foundation of fact, and the only remedy is to 

 increase our knowledge. To make such investigations is the distinc- 

 tive field of the Roosevelt Station, and is perhaps where it can do 

 some of its best public service. 



This beaver problem raises the question as to whether or not it 

 would be wise, during this period of provisional plans, to allow 

 the State Conservation Commission considerable discretionary 

 powers in their executive duties of caring for the beaver. At the 



