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[[preprinted]]
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY
WASHINGTON, D. C.

ADDRESS REPLY TO
CHIEF, BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY,
AND REFER TO
[[/preprinted]]

August 5, 1918.

Dr. Alex Wetmore,
1011 Forum Building,
Sacramento, California.

Dear Wetmore:

Inclosed are copies of letters which I trust will be of use to you in planning your work. The data relating to bird damage in Klickitat County, Washington, is not very specific as to time the damage occurs. Probably you can obtain more exact information on this point by writing to Hans Beck, Goodnoe Hills, Washington.

You of course understand that the relations of wild ducks to rice in California is your most important piece of work. Close attention should be given to this at regular and short intervals so that no complaint that it has been slighted can possibly be brought. The protection of fields by bombs seems a most promising method and I am enclosing letters about two firms which have the bombs for sale. The great effects of this method result from the dislike ducks have to being disturbed at night. Testimony of hunters is unanimous that shooting at night has a hundred fold greater effect in driving birds away than shooting by day. Repeated disturbance at night makes them entirely forsake the locality.

The aux shells requested are being sent by express to Haywards and mail will be sent in care of Garlough, as heretofore. Your Lake Burford report was safely received and is being copied. When the time comes I shall request that it be used as you wish.