THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



BIOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR OREGON. 



By Stanley G. Jewett. 



The average person is more or less interested in the wild 

 creatures of our fields and woods, but few realize the impor- 

 tant relation these creatures bear to man. To determine the 

 exact value of each species to the farmer, the timberman and the 

 sportsman, the Fish and Game Commission, in conjunction with 

 the University of Oregon and other educational institutions, has 

 undertaken a complete biological survey of the State of Oregon. 



In a great agricultural state like this, a thorough knowl- 

 edge of the fauna and flora is of great importance as a basis 

 of intelligent control of its game resources, for the wise conser- 

 vation of its useful birds and animals and for the destruction of 

 the injurious species. In this work the Bureau of Biological 

 Survey of the Department of Agriculture will assist, by sending 

 one or more of the expert field naturalists to Oregon during the 

 summer months to work with the state naturalists. They will 

 also help to classify the specimens collected. 



In Oregon there is a wide range of physiographic and cli- 

 matic conditions, which favor the production of a great variety 

 of agricultural products. There are five well-defined life zones 

 within the state, and they can be mapped only by a detailed 

 knowledge of the ranges of the native species of birds, mammals 

 and plants which inhabit them. The definite mapping of areas 

 inhabited by species injurious to agriculture, forestry and stock 

 raising is of great importance as a basis for plans for their ex- 

 termination. A thorough study of the range and habits of the 

 wolves and cougars that kill our deer must be made before they 

 can be effectively checked. 



For educational and permanent records, it is of the utmost 

 importance to secure a large and complete collection of birds, 

 mammals and plants for preservation in one or more museums 

 in the state. The fact that some species are already very scarce 



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