A 1908 map of Harney County completed by the Eastern Oregon Engineering Company of Burns, Oregon. The map legend is color coded to show major land holdings in the county including the Blue Mountain Forest Reserve; the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road; California & Oregon Land Co.; American Land & Live Stock Co.; Pacific Live Stock Co.; Wm. Hanley Co. (including P-Ranch and OO-Ranch); H. V. I. Co.; Portland Co.; Alvord Ranch; and Indian allotment lands. Relief is shown by hachures.
Correspondence discussing the Malheur Lake Wildlife Refuge and dam construction on the Klamath River in California. News releases describing William Finley's life and lectures are included.
Article discussing William Finley's involvement as a representative on the Migratory Bird Advisory Board. Program for the 14th Annual Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners Conference is included.
Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners (U.S.)
Documents focusing on Lower Klamath Lake, including drainage and proposed reflooding. Other topics include homesteading on Steens Mountain and effects of agriculture on the Clear and Tule Lake Refuges.
Correspondence, articles drafts, and notes discussing the Malheur Lake and Lower Klamath Lake Refuges with a focus on the impact of agricultural projects on the reservations, including water shortages and pollution. Additional topics include concerns about an antelope population limit at the Hart Mountain Game Refuge and the introduction of non-native species to replace dwindling native bird and fish populations.
Manuscript recalling a collision of Mr. Echidnas and an eagle. Fortunately the bird survived and was put into the care of Dr. L. E. Hibbard. The author goes on to point out that this eagle is protected by law but sadly has been exterminated in several parts of the Pacific Northwest.
This manuscript discusses the importance of tracking migration of ducks by placing an aluminum band. Phillip A. DuMont ran the trapping and banding station at the Malheur Lake Reservation.
Manuscript that champions the idea of additional sanctuaries for birds and animals. The document mentions what efforts President Theodore Roosevelt made before retiring from office. The document also highlights a number of refuges in the United States.
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.
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 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 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 discussing the topics of William Finley's lecture, including the Lower Klamath and Malheur Wildlife Refuges, preserving the Columbia River, and the effects of agriculture.
Manuscript describing the wreckage plume hunting has caused to some bird populations. Author points out that six indictments against two plume hunters had been filed. The defendants fled to California.
The manuscript argues that the land that has been used for homesteads should be returned to the birds of the area. The land is not suitable for farming long term due to its often alkaline nature. The ill suited land distribution is contributing to the decline of duck and geese populations as well as the other native water fowl.
Manuscript that appears to be an initial edit of a lecture. The manuscript describes the author's efforts in collecting data, combining the results and findings of three exploratory trips.