BULLETIN NUMBER SIX 25 



of the Alaskan peninsula, as to constitute a determining 

 factor in the fate of the most magnificent bears of the 

 whole world. 



While it may be true that in one or two localities on 

 Kadiak Island, and possibly in other localities elsewhere, 

 measures should be taken to reduce the number of brown 

 bears, but the idea that the lid should be lifted from the 

 whole brown bear group, throughout a stretch of a thou- 

 sand miles of territory is, it seems to us, not justified by 

 existing conditions. The Alaskan brown bears, of which 

 there are about five species, are the grandest carnivorous 

 animals now inhabiting the earth, and it may as well be 

 now understood that no American zoologist or sportsman 

 ever will sanction any sweeping commercial slaughter of 

 the finest dangerous game of all America. 



II. The Slaughter of Eagles in Alaska — For several years 

 prominent Alaskans, beginning with ex-Governor Hoggett, 

 have claimed that the people of Alaska are best able to de- 

 cide what should be done with and unto the wild life of 

 Alaska. This proposition always has been open to argu- 

 ment, and it is opened wider still by the action of Alaska 

 in regard to the treatment accorded the eagles of that Ter- 

 ritory. 



Evidently the people of Alaska entertain no sentiment 

 whatever, either patriotic or otherwise, toward the Ameri- 

 can eagle; or, for that matter, for any other eagle which 

 inhabits the Territory. The Legislature of 1917 passed a 

 law not only specially authorizing the killing of eagles, but 

 placing a bounty of 50 cents on the head of each one in the 

 Territory. At this distance it would seem that a bounty 

 of 50 cents per head would be too small to stimulate eagle- 

 killing as an industry ; but that is far from being the case. 

 It would seem that any price placed on the head of a wild 

 bird or quadruped is sufficient to insure its wholesale 

 destruction. It is reported that from April, 1917, to April, 



