16.3

WILD LIFE

GENERAL

Bird Refuges and Game Preserves

Refuges are coming to be an increasingly important feature of efforts to conserve and to increase desirable forms of birds and mammals. The number of areas that serve directly or indirectly as Federal bird refuges is 110. Of these, 72 are administered by the Bureau of Biological Survey and include 5 big-game preserves, for such mammals as mountain sheep, buffalo, elk, deer, and antelope. Of the remainder, 19 are national parks, which are set aside primarily as recreation areas, but also afford protection to birds, mainly nongame birds, and to desirable species of mammals. There are also more than 800 areas, large and small, set aside by States for various purposes on which wild-animal life is directly or indirectly protected. The bird and mammal refuges administered by the Bureau of Biological Survey extend from suitable areas in the Western States, in the Mississippi Valley, along the Great Lakes, and on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, to the outlying Territories of Alaska, Hawaii, and Porto Rico.

REPTILES

Treatment of Snake Bites

Determine the exact location of the bite. To prevent the systemic absorption of a fatal dose of venom, a ligature immediately must be placed between the wound and the heart, as above the knee or elbow if the wound is below either of these joints, and above the wound if it is on the upper arm or leg. This ligature must be loosened for a short time every 30 minutes to prevent gangrenous mortification.

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After arranging ligature make deep incisions with razor blade across the fang punctures. After the blood has flowed freely, carefully wash wound with a strong antiseptic solution freshly made with crystals of potassium permanganate. Another method equally successful is to inject a strong solution of potassium permanganate into each puncture and then to make local incisions. In an emergency, punctures may be incised and crystals of potassium permanganate introduced directly into the wound. A wet dressing and gauze bandage should be kept on the wound and the punctures kept open for several days to allow drainage. If possible, get a doctor. Local treatment should be given, such as bandaging, abdominal compression, and posture to maintain circulation. The patient should be kept awake, warm, and as quiet as possible. Under ordinary conditions, alcohol, strychnine, and caffein should be avoided except under orders of a physician. When venom has been injected into a blood vessel, the chances of recovery are greatly lessened.

Except in extraordinary cases, death does not occur within 24 hours. When time permits, in particularly grave cases, application should be made to New York Zoological Park, New York City, for tube of antivenom

serum.

Campers, ranchers, foresters, and pedestrians in rattlesnake country should carry a small vial containing crystals of potassium permanganate and safety-razor blades. U. S. D. A.-10-1-26

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BIRDS

Harmful Wild Birds

Crow Control.-The crow is by no means an unmitigated nuisance and frequently may be engaged in activities beneficial to the farmer, but occasions arise where control measures are necessary. These occur most often about the poultry yard and sprouting cornfield, and in areas where late crops of milo and corn are exposed to the attacks of crows that have congregated in their winter roost.

Although not an infallible remedy, the use of coal tar applied to the seed has met with considerable success in protecting sprouting corn against crows. This should be used in the proportion of about a tablespoonful to half a bushel of seed grain, the grain having been previously heated by the application of warm water and then drained. Continued stirring of the grain will result in an even coating of tar. The seed may then be spread out on a dry surface or may be dried by the application of an absorbent medium, as ashes, land plaster, or powdered earth. When thoroughly dry it may be used in a planter.

Crow damage to sprouting corn also may be materially lessened by the judicious use of poisoned bait. Crows are quick to sense danger, and the killing of a few at points where damage is being done or threatened usually will put a stop to their depredations. In the conduct of poisoning operations, however, State laws and local regulations governing the distribution of poison must be carefully observed; and as there is always an element of danger connected with the distribution of poison about thickly settled regions its use should be limited and judicious.

Corn is the bait usually employed for poisoning crows, and it is prepared generally by the steeping of the grain in a strong strychnine solution. If made, however, according to the following directions it will kill more quickly and its effectiveness will last for a considerable time when the bait is exposed to weather: Put 2 tablespoonfuls of starch and 1 ounce of powdered strychnine alkaloid in 1% pints of water and heat to boiling, stirring thoroughly after the starch begins to thicken. this mixture over 20 quarts of corn and stir until every kernel is coated. The grain may then be spread out and dried.

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This bait may be used to advantage in fields of ripening corn where crows have started to feed on the ears. Feeding spots are usually close to wooded areas or at points farthest from farm buildings or ordinary routes of travel. Scattering a little bait between the rows in these places will frequently give the desired results.

Because of the extreme wariness of these birds, wholesale destruction through poisoning operations is difficult. Crows do practically no feeding at the large roosts where thousands gather nightly, and consequently baits placed there are of little use. It often happens that within a radius of a mile or more of such roosts crows establish congregating places that are occupied late in the afternoon. These spots may be in fields where bait can be exposed to advantage, should damage to crops warrant U. S. D. A.-10-1-26

it. At one roost in Oklahoma the entire assemblage of crows was induced to move away by poisoning operations in the near-by congregating places, although only a few hundred crows were actually killed.

English-Sparrow Control.-Where English sparrows are troublesome, control measures by trapping and poisoning are effective. The best results are obtained during the winter months, when the birds are hard pressed for food. Where the use of poison is not prohibited by law, bait prepared in the following manner may be employed: One-eighth ounce of powdered strychnine alkaloid is put into three-fourths gill of hot water; 11⁄2 teaspoonfuls of ordinary laundry starch or wheat flour that has been stirred into a little cold water is then added, heat applied, and the mixture stirred constantly until it thickens. The hot, poisoned starch is then poured over 1 quart of wheat, which is stirred until every kernel is coated. The coated wheat is then spread thinly over a flat surface to dry, after which it may be kept indefinitely in welllabeled glass or metal containers.

Sparrows should be poisoned in places where other birds and domestic animals will not be endangered. Roofs, backyards, and unused poultry runs are favorable situations. Periods of heavy snowfall are especially suited for such operations, when a little bait scattered on bare spots or about horse droppings is almost sure to be picked up.

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In places where poisoning is impracticable, relief may often be had through the use of a trap of the funnel type. The essential parts of this trap are: (1) A half funnel leading into (2) an antechamber which ends in (3) a complete funnel leading into (4) a final chamber. It is made of woven-wire poultry netting of three-fourthsinch mesh and is reinforced around the open end and along the sides at the bottom by No. 8 or No. 10 wire, which is used also around the aperture for the door and around the door itself. To kill mercifully a sparrow that has been trapped, place the thumb-nail at the base of its skull and dislocate its neck by hard and quick pressure.

Blackbird Control.-Because of the nomadic habits of blackbirds and the great abundance of their natural food late in summer and early in fall, the control of blackbirds during these seasons is very difficult, and it is only under the most favorable conditions that consistent and economical results can be expected. Baits similar to those recommended for crows, in which cracked corn or milo is substituted for whole corn, may be used advantageously in stands of corn where the birds have started to feed on the ears that are in the dough stage, provided the ground beneath is free of weeds. Such baits scattered sparingly between alternate rows of corn in the damaged areas are readily picked up. A few birds killed in this way frequently serve to deter others from these feeding places. It is seldom wise to attempt to cover the entire field with bait.' Where sprouting corn is being damaged this bait may be used to good effect if scattered sparingly in the damaged sections.

Magpie Control. Occasions arise, especially about poultry yards and in cattle country, where local reduction of the magpie population is desirable. Campaigns against these birds can be conducted best during winter months, when food is scarce and the birds are more or less concentrated in flocks.

A good poisoned bait can be prepared as follows: Two pounds of beef suet is put through an ordinary grinder or sausage mill, and the shredded product, which will make about 14 quarts in bulk, should then have dusted over it one-eighth ounce of powdered strychnine alkaloid.