131 Second Annual Report of the 



Game Refuges* 



It is gratifying to report that a great many additional game 

 refuges have been established in the different parts of the State 

 during the past year. The great increase in the number of 

 hunters and the constant lessening of the game supply make3 

 the game refuge a necessity ; for in no other way can the breeding 

 supply be well conserved. Such refuges furnish an admirable 

 place for breeding purposes. 



Redivision of the State. 



The 1912 Legislature increased the force of protectors from 

 ninety-five to one hundred and twenty-five men. It was there- 

 fore necessary to redivision the State, increasing the number of 

 divisions from ten to twelve, and appointing additional division 

 chief protectors, all of which was done. The several divisions 

 are known as the Northern Adirondack, Southern Adirondack, 

 Eastern Adirondack, Eastern, Western, Southern, Central r\ew 

 York, Hudson, St. Lawrence, Allegany, Ontario, and Metropoli- 

 tan and Long Island division, and are placed in charge of compe- 

 tend division chiefs. 



Grebes. 



The following is a copy of a letter received from Dr. William 

 T. Hornadav, director of the Xew York Zoological Park: 



«/ 7 O 



"Mr. Llewellyn Legge, Chief Game Protector, Conservation 

 Commission, Albany, N. Y.: 



" Dear Ms. Legge. — Thank you very much for the fine speci- 

 men of HolboelPs Grebe {Columbus holboelli), which arrived 

 here in good condition, and is doing well. It is not often that 

 a grebe really settles down in captivity; but this bird promises 

 to be an exception to the general rule. It is the only specimen 

 of the kind that we have, or have had, for some time, and we are 

 much pleased with it. We will also gradly welcome the loon, 

 which your telegram of yesterday advises me is on the way. 

 Loons, also, are difficult birds to keep alive in captivity; but, as 

 usual, we shall do our best. I know of no water bird that is 



