8 TH Bo 2A Us DU BOUIN? BUR ia le 
A Visit to the Bear River Migratory 
Waterfowl Refuge 
By Harry R. SMITH 
WHEN A FILM on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was shown at 
a meeting of the Chicago Ornithological Society last fall, I thought there 
could be no more desirable place to observe waterfowl in North America. 
Like most of those present I hoped some time to see this tremendous con- 
centration of birds. This opportunity came much sooner than I dared hope. 
On May 14 I had the privilege of spending the day on this great project 
of our Department of the Interior, which is doing such splendid work in the 
study and protection of our American wildlife. Arrangements were made 
by Mr. Philip A. DuMont of the Washington office, U. S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, with Mr. Vanez T. Wilson, refuge superintendent, and Mr. G. 
Horton Jensen, biologist in charge of the research station on the refuge, 
took me in hand. 
The refuge, which comprises about 64,900 acres, is situated at the north 
end of Bear River Bay near the town of Brigham, in Box Elder County, 
Utah. This bay terminates in an extensive marsh which was at one time 
an arm of Great Salt Lake. The refuge was developed by segregating this 
marsh from the lake by a dike and diverting fresh water from the Bear 
River, distributing it through a system of spillways into five units. Water 
is maintained in these impoundments at an average depth of about 3 feet. 
Pools may be drained rapidly if necessary to stop outbreaks of botulism. 
The various dikes dividing the five units provide a system of roadways 
that can be used for patrol roads. A circular tour of two units is open for 
public travel, providing unexcelled opportunities for observing birds at a 
distance of but a few feet while sitting in a car. Consequently, public use 
of this area is quite heavy, particularly throughout the summer. 
Mr. Jensen, who was advised of my visit in advance, had planned his 
day’s work so that I could accompany him over a good share of the refuge. 
He explained operations and problems of maintenance, patiently answered 
my many questions, and pointed out birds, several of which I was seeing 
for the first time. 
Even before we entered the boundaries of the refuge I had the thrilling 
sight of several flocks of White-faced Glossy Ibises which were new to me 
and which were a promising introduction to the interesting experiences to 
follow. The birds were feeding on an open wet prairie along the road and 
could be observed at a short distance. 
Any effort to describe their color pattern, which I would not attempt, 
should be qualified by explaining the light conditions under which they were 
seen. In referring to this species the authors of “Birds of America” use 
some of the following terms: “purplish-chestnut tinged with irridescent 
violet,” “irridescent violet-green,” “rich wine-red,” “green with brassy 
luster,” “green with purplish reflections,” “lake-red,” “dull reddish.” From 
this one who has not seen the birds is likely to envision an overly decorated 
