UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
ADDRESS REPLY TO 
CHIEF, BUREAU OP BIOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
AND REFER TO 
August 24> 1922. 
0-P 
Travel Instr. 
Dr. Alexander Wetmore, 
Biological Survey, 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Dr. Wetmore: 
In accordance with your Letter of Authorization No. 98 -Bi, you 
are directed to proceed on or about August 24 , 1^22, to Aitkin County, 
Minnesota, where you will visit Island Lake for the purpose of ex¬ 
amining the possibilities for the oreation of a game refuge on an 
island in this lake. Certain residents in this region, according to 
a letter from Congressman Newton, are desirous that a game preserve 
should be created here. In visiting the island you should determine 
who is interested in this matter and the purpose behind the request. 
Additional details regarding this work are covered in a letter from 
the Chief of the Bureau under date of August 3» 19 22 . Upon completion 
of this work, which may require from two to four days, you should pre¬ 
pare a report in detail, giving your findings. 
Prom this point you will oontinue to North Dakota for the purpose 
of securing native specimens of Canada geese, and information regarding 
their distribution and occurrence in that region. It is reported that 
there is a local breeding form of the Canada goose of exceptional size 
in this State, and it is important to secure a series of the birds. Mr. 
L. C. Pettibone, of Dawson, North Dakota, informs us that these geese are 
present this season in his vicinity and has agreed to assist in securing 
the material wanted. You should visit him, and may find it necessary 
to collect in other localities as well, in order to secure the specimens 
wanted. 
We are also informed that there are five specimens of these native 
geese at the State Game Farm at St. John, North Dakota. You should visit 
this game farm and secure photographs of these birds. You should also 
weigh these living birds and record their weight as well as any that 
you may secure for specimens. If possible, arrangements should be made 
