4 
FINS, FEATHERS AND FUR 
American Robin (Planesticus migratorius migra¬ 
tor his) 
Editor’s Note—It has not been customary to 
consider anything but the possible increase in 
acreage of tillable land in connection with drain¬ 
age projects in this state, and probably also in 
other states. In view of the great economic 
value of waterfowl and other birds which depend 
upon watered or submerged lands for their breed¬ 
ing places as well as upon other considerations 
usually lost sight of in the eagerness to add 
acres to farms it is gratifying to know that the 
United States Biological Survey is about to enter 
upon a systematic survey of Minnesota, such as 
has just about been completed in Nebraska and 
North Dakota. This will cover the whole state 
in a manner similar to the survey of Swan Lake, 
Nicollet county, made last year at the request 
of this department. As a project was on foot 
to drain this lake it seemed proper that every 
phase of the subject be considered and weighed 
before such action should be taken as might be 
regretted. The value and possible use of lakes as 
breeding and feeding places for waterfowl, for 
the growth and cultivation of fish and fur bear- 
YY’aiting for a Shot in a Natural Blind at Swan Lake. 
Photo by D. Lange. 
ing animals, their actual and possible recreational 
value, and other uses are generally overlooked 
but are none the less important from a practi¬ 
cal and economic standpoint. It is therefore 
gratifying that the U. S. Department of Agricul¬ 
ture Is planning to extend its biological survey 
work to Minnesota that actual and reliable data 
and information on all lakes may be availble for 
use when drinage projects are under considera¬ 
tion. 
Game News From Grandy 
Newsy and thoughtful communications such as 
the following from Mr. J. G. C. Johnson of 
Grandy, Minn., are always welcome and helpful. 
The writer’s suggestion as to warning notices 
for protection of harmless and useful birds will 
be followed. Mr. Johnson writes: 
“This may be of some interest to you. I was 
up in northern Kanabec county the last tour 
days of the big game season last fall and w u f 
T didn’t see or get a shot at deer, saw some in- 
teresting things to me. I saw and heard tip 
wards of a hundred partridges, also six or seven 
‘log cocks’ or pileated wood-peckers, which 
seemed good to me—saw no quails. In' " u 
wandering around Grandy last spring 
saw or heard upwards of twenty-five pai triages 
—separate and distinct birds. Quails seem to it 
extinct in this section. L T p to three years ago i 
used to see and hear dozens of pairs of quails m 
every direction; think they must have winter 
killed. Their sweet music is gone anyway. , 
“If funds are available for the purpose, wouldn t 
it be a good proposition for the Game and Pish 
Commission to print for posting, some cards of 
warning against the killing of small birds ot all 
kinds the latter of infinitely more value to agri¬ 
culture than game birds. To the small boy and 
his 22 rifle everything is game that moves. 
“If cards couched in strong language including 
the penalty attached for violation emanating 
from headquarters are furnished I will gladly do 
my duty in this section. You can’t appeal to 
these boys morally. To me nothing seems more 
desolate than to ^go thru patches of woodland 
that should be full of birds and squirrels and 
not hear a bird chirp or see a scampering squirrel. 
“The cards are a mere suggestion, but T know 
they would do some good.” 
Wardens Help Gather Spawn 
Seven field spawning stations were operated 
this spring for gathering the eggs of the pike 
perch. In order to operate on the usual scale, 
and not curtail the output of the hatcheries on 
account of shortage of help and high cost of 
labor and supplies, several of the game wardens 
are doing patriotic work in helping out as they 
'have done in the past. John Huderle was in 
charge of the crew at Turtle River, Cass Lake, 
Jess Harry at Pike River near Tower, J. W. Cen- 
terwall is putting in his second season at White- 
fish Lake, J. H. Jones is at Otter Tail, J. C. 
Green at Red Lake, James Beatty and Paul 
Goodell are at Rainy Lake, where a small hatch¬ 
ing station is being operated in co-operation 
with the Rainy Lake Fishermen’s Association, 
and C. E. Saunders assisted at Pike River. 
Several of the other wardens assisted in other 
ways and will help in the distribution of the fry. 
From the hatchery crews Emery Iverson of De¬ 
troit is in charge of the station at Otter Tail, 
James Bennett of Glenwood is in charge of the 
Granite Falls Hatchery and T. Surber of St. Paul 
is in charge of the station at Bemidji. The pike 
egg season is always a critical and nerve rack¬ 
ing season in the fish hatching work. The suc¬ 
cess of the whole year’s work in pike work de¬ 
pends upon getting the eggs from the wild fish 
at a certain time when they are ready to spawn. 
The run depends upon many weather and tem¬ 
perature conditions which vary greatly from year 
to year. Every man connected with the work 
feels relieved when the eggs are gathered and 
safely in the hatching jars. The work continues 
to be strenuous until the fish are actually hatched 
and distributed to the lakes. The distribution 
must be made immediately after hatching owing 
to the large numbers handled and their canni¬ 
balistic nature. 
