Manuscript that examines the uptick of interest and financial gain in Oregon's outdoors. A particular interest in the Rogue River Valley is explored. The author comments on the amount of funds for paving roads in order to allow people to access the wilderness easily. The document also points out that there are many ways to destroy natural areas, but few are considering how to preserve them.
Manuscript that looks over a few previous records of wild pigeons provided by O. G. Delaba and W. B. Jennings. There is a note in parentheses asking to report any spottings of the birds to Finley or Averill. The author reflects that the number of pigeons has declined dramatically.
Manuscript recounting an encounter with a group of toads. The document describes how the toads possess a bone that allows them to use their hind feet to burrow into the ground in order to get closer to moisture when rain is lacking. The author and the group watched as the animals used ant hills as a buffet to feed themselves. The author comments that it is no wonder that some believe that amphibians rain from the sky because this species emerges with the coming rain and disappears as the sun comes out.
According to R.E. Dimick from the Oregon State Agricultural College, the stonefly is a cornerstone in the diet of trout. The manuscript advises that a wise angler will observe the insects of an area to lead them to the best fishing spots. The document goes on to describe the life cycle of the stonefly as well as mentioning another type of stonefly, and where the author has found their population to be abundant.
Brief manuscript that details the observation of some gray spiders creating parachutes with their webbing. Author comments on how this might be the way these spiders migrate.
Manuscript describing the unintentional traps that had been made by telephone wires set up by the California-Oregon Power Company. It greatly affected the ducks in the area of Klamath Falls. The area that is discussed was set up for ducks with a type of botulism so that they could restore themselves back to health.
Manuscript focusing on the American pintail, stating that it is the most common of ducks. Document comments on molting of the male duck after breeding season. Author speculates that this occurs in order to better protect the offspring.
Manuscript depicting a pair of water ouzels. Jack Horn from the United States Forest Service watched as one bird threw nest materials into the water, similar to how loggers toss in logs, making the transportation of materials easier. The author of the document goes on to say few people are familiar with the song of the ouzel. The author also gives the reader details about the bird's appearance and that another pair could be spotted at Multnomah Falls.
Manuscript that details the advantages of a wildlife refuge, especially in regards to the land. The document describes some of the difficulties that the Malheur Refuge experienced. Examples include illegal squatters around the lake bed and the attempt of a pair of locals (Culver Marshall and Wilbur Springer) to host a duck hunt inside the refuge.
Manuscript that relays the struggle of farmers and land owners versus the Reclamation Services in respects to the lake beds in the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake areas. It was recognized that the drying of the beds is destructive to the local waterfowl because of a lack of a reliable water source. For the farmers and land owners, they would rather see the land as a place of cultivation. The Reclamation Service believed that only a small part could realistically be kept under cultivation. Part of the area in question became a sump and instead of using all of the land for that purpose, a refuge area was set aside which became the Tule Lake Refuge.
Manuscript that goes into depth about the curlew, including physical appearance (as adults and as nestlings), where they can be found, other names they are known by, and how they protect themselves from predators.
Manuscript that discusses the dwindling numbers of the Bighorn sheep. Contributing factors to the decrease of Bighorns include hunting and contact with domestic sheep. The domestic sheep contributed the most in the decline due to a disease they carried and spread to the Bighorns. The author advocates for a refuge for the remaining Bighorns in order to remove any contact from domestic sheep in both the summer and winter seasons.
Manuscript describing the problem of pollutants being dumped into the Willamette River and later traveling to the Columbia River where pollution is killing the fish. The author asserts that individual sportsmen and anglers have to follow the pollution laws but companies are not being held to the same standard. The author also states that citizens of Portland were initially on board to install sewage systems but support vanished once it was realized that the funding would come from property owners and not the government.
The author in this manuscript describes an incoming resident to the Oregon landscape, the opossum. In this document the diet of the animal, its ecological preferences, and where it can be typically found are among the topics discussed. According to this text, the animal is one of the oldest living mammals and the oldest of the group in America.
Manuscript chronicling the failure of introducing two male swans to two female swans who had been companions for a few years. The author points out that partners should be introduced in the first two years of life as swans mate for life. After such a long period of association, the two birds became dependent upon each other for all types of companionship long before the males were introduced.
Manuscript delving into the difficult situation of population increase in Oregon and how that is effecting the game birds of the area. The author sees two options of dealing with this predicament. The first is to use the funding for game farms to breed Chinese pheasants and release them for hunting use. The second is to enact a plan to save the disappearing native game birds. This option is difficult because it requires extensive research before a plan can be considered. The author contends that the best people to aid with this research are young students trained in scientific thinking, who possess patience and a good work ethic.
Manuscript on the spotting of a large group of swallows near a roadside. The author goes on to discuss how the birds are joined by other flocks to travel in large groups in order to hide their true numbers from predators.
Manuscript that relays the discovery of a bobwhite quail's nest in January, which is fairly late in the nesting season. The remaining content describes the value of the bird on farms.
Manuscript that explores the senseless killing of wild animals. Despite being a protected animal, a black bear mother and cub had been shot down. The author contends that black bears are the most human of wild animals in the Oregon woods. The author also describes characteristics of the bear and what it eats. The document goes on to say that there are people who simply enjoy being out in nature and can truly appreciate a wildlife sighting. However, due to hunters, those people are robbed of these experiences.
Manuscript praising the establishment of the Oregon State Agricultural College. There is praise also for the courses in game management that will be offered. The courses are considered to be the best measurement instituted in order to develop wildlife resources for Oregon. The college will offer several courses that will provide training for game management of estates and land using industries. Local establishments such as game refuges and fish hatcheries will be used to give hands on experience. At the time, Oregon was the only state in the west to receive federal funding for education in respects to conservation of wildlife.
Manuscript that focuses on the American white pelican, which according to this document, has an unattractive appearance. The document also describes how the pelican feeds its young.
Manuscript relating a conversation with H. S. Rowe, who along with Mr. Harrison, owned a large number of acres of land on Sauvie's Island, which happened to be excellent for duck hunting. Mr. Rowe went hunting in the year of 1907 with his son and netted the allotted amount of birds. Further comments about the plentiful number of birds for sport are included in the document. Later in 1913, a protection for migratory birds passed and closed down the hunting season. The author commented that despite the season being closed for 22 years, the number of ducks have not returned to previous numbers.
Manuscript that is composed of various manuscripts, with a focus on closing the waterfowl hunting season. The manuscripts concerning the waterfowl include creating legislation to close or limit the hunting season, the practice of baiting, and protecting waterfowl populations. A manuscript discussing russet-backed thrushes is included.
Manuscript where one species of sparrow is featured. The document begins with explaining that only an expert can distinguish the three varieties of this sparrow.
