Eaorajnent o, California. 
June 10, 1910. 
Chief, Bureau of Biological Survey, 
V/ashington, D. C. 
Sir: 
The prospect for a large hatching of sprig and mallards in this j 
portion of California is very bright. The hatching season has been most 
favorable, their being absolutely no less of eggs by flood waters as has 
occurred many years. 
Ko doubt we will hear the same complaints of damage by ducks to 
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th.6 growing rice and I do not doubt that it will be talcen advuntege of by 
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a few of the growers, fortunately a very few, and by the ’’sooners^ to 
open the season muoh earlier than usual under tha State and Federal Law* 
Also the war and hi^ cost of living, etc*, etc*, will bo used as an ex- 
cuse* Many ^ftio are not rice growers bp-t live in the towns adjacent to 
the rice fields are even now agitating and will, no doubt, appeal to Kr* 
hoover and others as a necessary measure* What little damage is done 
to growing rioe can be eliminated by the rice fanner* Sould representations 
come to the Department of Agriculture regarding the damage done to rice 
and the necessity of permitting the Icilling other than at the season se^, 
I would suggest that no change be made without the fullest investigation# 
It would be extremely dangerous to ciiange the season to an earlier date 
as nearly all the mallard and sprig in California are or will be within 
a radius of a very few miles adjacent to the rice fields. The birds are 
attracted there, as you mij^t Icnow, by the large number of insects, water 
