Dr • A. W » « *2 * 
I had an interesting trip to the Grand Canyon Game Preserve, 
where considerable information was secured concerning the interesting 
condition that has developed there. The deer, as I think you already 
know, have become too abundant for the forage available at all seasons, 
so that unless control measures are taken, deer may be expected to 
die of starvation in the near future. I found about seven feet of 
snow on the top of the plateau and weather rather stormy and disagree¬ 
able at the lower elevations, but we were able to get about without 
difficulty. Owing to the depth of snow, however, I was obliged to 
detour through California in order to reach the southern side of the 
Canyon, where an examination was made of the proposed antelope range 
on the Tonto Plateau, which is the broad bench lying along the inner 
gorge. From Grand Canyon I went to the Wichita National Forest and 
Game Preserve, where some interesting observations were made on game 
conditions. Plans are being made for the disposal of surplus buffalo 
and elk, and I was especially pleased at the way wild turkeys are 
increasing in numbers. From a small introduction a few years ago, 
the wild turkeys have spread to many parts of the Game Preserve, which 
includes only about 65,000 acres, and I estimate that there are now 
at least 300 wild turkeys. It seems to be a place which can be depended 
upon to furnish a large number of wild turkeys for re-introduction into 
areas in which they have become extinct. 
Dr. Kelson, as you probably already know, has returned from 
Florida in about his normal health. 
Several of us attended the meeting of the American Society of 
Mammalogists in Philadelphia last week. These meetings are always 
much enjoyed, and have much the character of A. 0. U. meetings, except 
that mammals are of course substituted for birds in discussions. 
Mr. Howell returned several days ago from Florida, where the 
most noteworthy thing he did was to locate near the head of St • Johns 
River a place where there are still Everglade Kites in fair numbers. 
While the area is not large, a marsh 15 by 30 miles in size, where the 
birds have probably gathered from neighboring areas, there seems to be 
no immediate danger of their extinction. He secured 7 specimens for 
our collection. 
Everything is going 
i*t* 
ich as usual at the office 
With best wishes for the success of the remainder of your trip, 
I am. 
Sincerely yours. 
In Charge, 
Biological invest igalrions. 
