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 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 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 describing a pair of robins whose older offspring attempted to bait their parents into feeding them, despite being old enough to feed themselves.
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.
Manuscript discusses discovering a gray digger squirrel who appeared to be deceased but was actually hibernating and nearly frozen. This leads the author to write about the animal's process in preparing for its winter slumber. The document goes on to comment on other animals that hibernate as well and the differences in hibernation processes.
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.
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.
Manuscript discusses how the waterfowl in Klamath country are now protected from hunters by game laws. The Bureau of Reclamation destroyed areas of sanctuary for waterfowl because the demand for land for agricultural use was so high. According to Dr. C. F. Marbut from the Department of Agriculture, the soil from the land in and around the bed of the Lower Klamath Lake could not support agricultural means successfully. Instead, the area became a refuge similar to Clear Lake.
Manuscript discussing the alarming state of the decline of local animal and fish populations. The author contends that it is a combination of exhausting the local population for sport and introducing foreign populations of animals and fish to satisfy the demand for game to hunt. The document proposes that there are two points in a plan of action in order to restore native populations. The first is to enforce the laws of protection for the animals and fish, and the second is to educate in order to support wildlife resources.
Two manuscripts are featured in this document. The first discusses how the Deschutes River is an ideal place for trout, not only for sport but for the fish to inhabit. The river benefits from the lack of silt in the water and protection from dumping pollutants. Also due to a lack of a paved road, access is limited to the area. The second manuscript discusses the importance of conducting surveys that determine what makes a place suitable for a fish to inhabit. Factors such as what are the food sources and water temperature are to be considered. The writer makes the point that one cannot gauge from mere visual observation the amount of fish in any given stream. To truly determine the population, in depth surveys must be done.
Manuscript explaining that the rodent known as the mountain beaver, in fact is not a beaver, nor is it related to any animal. It is animal that is found only along the west coast of the United States. The document gives the physical description of the animal and where one might be spotted in Oregon.
This manuscript rallies against building paved roads along streams because this creates easy access and an opening to abuse the resources found in the stream. This document focuses mainly on overfishing in regards to the trout population. Later in the document, the author argues against a highway being built along the Rogue River because this will negatively affect the stream, both in health and fish populations.
Manuscript that is written as a story, where two men have a conversation at a gas station. One is a tourist, the other the gas service man. The tourist is excited to consume some of the local razor clam but the service man explains that the clams are gone. Due to the high demand and the disregard for preserving the population were the causes of its decline.
This manuscript describes the author's interaction with a pine squirrel. The squirrel is compared to the other types of squirrels that are present in that area.
In this manuscript we see the return of Piney the squirrel and the author observes that Piney and his fellow squirrels differ from other squirrels. They are different because unlike the other species of squirrels, they are vigilant in up keeping their supply of food. Piney took over a bird house near the author's property and it was discovered that Piney had collected one hundred and forty-six nuts. The author wonders if this store of food will be utilized and emptied by the time the birds arrive to occupy the bird house.
Manuscript that delves into the perplexing animal that is ring-tailed cat or ringtail. A cousin of the raccoon, the animal can be found in the southwestern part of the Americas from Mexico to southern Oregon. The animal has a strange appearance and prefers to hunt mice and small game. The animal is an omnivore and emits a musky smell.
The subject of this manuscript is the Valley or California quail, which can be found in California, Oregon, and now Washington. The document lists the bird's call, how it defends itself against enemies, and its physical appearance. The document ends with a comparison of the bird to the mountain quail.
