2 DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 59, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE. 



Few lines of inquiry possess greater interest and attractiveness than 

 that which deals with the normal activities of the wild animal 

 in its natural environment. Such studies also have a very practical 

 value. The resulting data are often essential to the solution of 

 problems in the prevention and control of animal-borne diseases, in 

 the conservation of natural resources, and in the elimination of waste 

 and the stimulation of production in the several branches of agricul- 

 ture, including general farming, horticulture, grazing, and forestry. 

 " Not a single farm product but is affected directly or indirectly by 

 some animal activity * * * " says Prof. Herbert Osborn (1919, 

 p. 112). 



The benefits to the student of a more intimate acquaintance with 

 the living things about him can scarcely be overestimated. More- 

 over, a more widespread appreciation of nature, with the resulting 

 inspiration to more rugged and healthful thinking and living, has 

 an important bearing upon our national welfare. 



RELATION OF FIELD AND LABORATORY METHODS. 



Field and laboratory methods each possess advantages which jus- 

 tify the use of both. The possibility of a complete control of environ- 

 mental factors under laboratory conditions has sometimes led to un- 

 due enthusiasm for this type of research. The advantages of labora- 

 tory investigations on the one hand are often compensated for in a 

 loss of normality of response on the part of the organism. This is es- 

 pecially true of birds and mammals. On the other hand, if trust- 

 worthy conclusions as to behavior are to be reached, it is necessary to 

 associate work in the laboratory with direct observations of the ani- 

 mal in a natural state; and many of the most important details of 

 animal life-histories can never be learned in the laboratory. 



Two authorities on this subject may be quoted here : Prof. William 

 E. Hitter (1917, p. 402) says, " * * * the future's progress in 

 the biological sciences will be accomplished by a far closer, more vital 

 interdependence between researches out in nature and researches in 

 the laboratory." And Theodore Koosevelt (1917, p. 11) states, in 

 words which carry their own authority, " * * * it is essential to 

 recognize that the best scientific men must largely work in the great 

 out-of-doors laboratory of nature. It is only such out-doors work 

 which will give us the chance to interpret aright the laboratory obser- 

 vations." 



EQUIPMENT. 



Equipment for field investigation of habits of mammals need not 

 be elaborate and will often be at hand where needed. Pick, shovel, ax 

 or large hatchet, trowel or large spoon, brushcutter, grasscutter, tape- 

 line, sketch pad, coordinate paper, and writing materials usually 



