1. Bill introduced regarding commercial fishing near the Bonneville Dam and on Columbia River tributaries east of the Deschutes River; 2. Article in an issue of the Business Survey of the Portland Area discussing the effect of fishways on salmon at Bonneville Dam; 3. Report discussing proposed fishways plans for Bonneville Dam; 4. Correspondence discussing report of the Bonneville Dam Fishways Committee; 5. Manuscript discussing the effects of high dams on Columbia River salmon with a focus on the Bonneville Dam; 6. Information and drawing of proposed Bonneville Dam; 7. Booklet discussing salmon and recipes using Thompson's Swiftwater canned salmon; 8. Publication discussing salmon and promoting the benefits of canned salmon
1. "The waterfowl situation: 1934-1935"; 2. "Supplement to report on waterfowl situation 1934-1935"; 3. Correspondence discussing hunting and migratory birds
1. Address given by W. C. Henderson, Associate Chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey, regarding the condition of waterfowl populations; 2. Directory listing individuals and groups responsible for wildlife conservation; 3. Correspondence discussing length of bird hunting seasons in Alaska and Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Document focuses include changes to Migratory Bird Treaty Act, waterfowl conditions, and extent of hunting seasons. Additional focuses include homesteading issues on wildlife refuges and hunting practices, including baiting.
1. Letter discussing proposed appointment of Sinclair A. Wilson's brother, Charles Wilson, to the Advisory Research Council's recreation and wildlife committees; 2. Correspondence discussing Curry County Planning Commission's proposed bill and creation of committee to study Curry County land use; 3. Correspondence discussing proposed forest and rural zoning law bills; 4. Letter discussing Special Advisory Committee for Curry County Land Use Study; 5. Letter discussing proposed appointment of Charles Wilson to the Advisory Research Council's recreation and wildlife committees; 6. Correspondence discussing maps of bird refuges; 7. Letter and program discussing Commonwealth Conference at the University of Oregon; 8. Correspondence discussing proposed appointment of Charles Wilson to the Advisory Research Council's recreation and wildlife committees; 9. Correspondence and petition to prohibit Rogue River pollution from placer mining; 10. Brief letter acknowledging correspondence sent by William Finley; 11. Letter discussing petition to prohibit Rogue River pollution from placer mining; 12. Correspondence calling for Advisory Committee on Rural Land Zoning meeting; 13. Letter discussing Urban Land Utilization Committee and report, "A master plan for Portland"; 14. Letter discussing formation and responsibilities of committee on securing recreational areas; 15. "Preliminary table of contents for drainage basin reports for each major drainage basin"; 16. Correspondence discussing zoning laws regarding rural land uses; 17. Letter discussing responsibilities of Sinclair A. Wilson following Rural Zoning Committee meeting; 18. Letter discussing copy of "The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science" received by the Rural Land Zoning Committee; 19. Letter discussing project to study land owned by Douglas County for possible recreational use; 20. Letter and lists discussing work being completed by the Oregon State Planning Board; 21. Correspondence and excerpts from conference proceedings discussing zoning laws in different states; 22. Letter discussing Douglas County Planning Commission meetings and plans, including a proposed public campground; 23. Letter discussing Oregon State Planning Board meeting; 24. Letter discussing National Resources Committee study of drainage basins; 25. Correspondence and copies of bills passed by Washington legislature discussing forestry, duties of commissions, and acquisition of land; 26. Agenda for meeting of Advisory Committee on Water Resources with S. B. Morris, Regional Water Consultant; 27. List of Oregon's major drainage basins; 28. Correspondence and minutes for Rural Land Zoning Committee; 29. Letter discussing "Stream improvement in national forests" report; 30. Report focusing on the status of Oregon forests, including natural and man-made dangers and recommendations for future conservation; 31. Letter requesting information about Advisory Committee on Wild Life; 32. Correspondence discussing letters of appointment to the Advisory Committee on Wild Life
1. Letter describing proposed creation of a State Planning Board and State Department of Conservation and Development as well as funding for wildlife research; 2. Letter to Chancellor W. J. Kerr recommending that Oregon State College be responsible for overseeing game management funding; 3. Letter from Philip Parons recommending the formation of a committee to make suggestions to the Oregon Fish and Game Commissions; 4. Letter discussing joint meeting of the Washington State Planning Council and Oregon State Planning Board; 5. Letter discussing issues with midges and a study of pelicans at the Upper Klamath Lake; 6. Program for joint meeting of the Washington State Planning Council and Oregon State Planning Board; 7. Letter requesting recommendations for legislation relating to natural resources in Oregon; 8. Correspondence discussing conference in Gold Beach to discuss Rogue River pollution; 9. Letter discussing meeting of State Planning Board and Advisory Research Committees; 10. Letter and memorandum discussing questions posed by V. B. Stanbery regarding Oregon wildlife conservation and responses of George Aiken, an Oregon State Game Commission member; 11. Correspondence discussing Curry County Planning Commission's proposed bill to create a board responsible for forest and range improvements; 12. Letter discussing the transfer of Land Planning Specialists to the Resettlement Administration; 13. Letter discussing current and proposed ground water surveys in eastern Oregon and Willamette Valley; 14. Correspondence discussing proposed establishment of refuges at Wapato Lake and upper Long Tom River; 15. Letter discussing a draft of William Finley's talk at joint meeting of the State Planning Board and Advisory Research Council; 16. Letter discussing proposed establishment of Hart Mountain Game Reserve; 17. Correspondence discussing proposed acquisition of Wapato Lake to establish a wildlife refuge; 18. Letter discussing appointment of members to Stream Pollution Committee; 19. Letter discussing Wildlife Committee members and contribution to report on natural resources in Oregon; 20. Reports focusing on stream improvements in the Siskiyou, Mount Hood, and Fremont National Forests; 21. "Oregon State Planning Board Research Program for 1936"
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.
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 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.
Article describing J. N. Darling's involvement in preserving the Malheur Lake area by purchasing the P Ranch and Blitzen watershed when he became the Chief of the Biological Survey in March 1934. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
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 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.
Article describing the invasive bird species, the English sparrow (also known as the European house sparrow). Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
The decline of the California condor is discussed in this article. Once a frequent flyer along the Columbia River in Oregon, the bird has became a stranger as numbers dwindled. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
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 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 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.
Article describing east coast birds that have traveled to the west coast, including vireos and the American redstart. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
Manuscript describing the sound that tree crickets produce in the night, comparing it to a symphony. There is a brief physical description as well as the fact that only male tree crickets produce sound.
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 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 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 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 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.
Manuscript that recollects when Governor Clarence D. Martin called out Portland's mayor at the time, Mayor Carson, on the pollution being dumped into the Willamette River. The document goes on to point out how this is a violation of state law. Portland was not the only area affected.
A group of people, two who were residents of Gold Beach, went in search of deer. The group included Edgar Averill, John Yeon, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, along with the author. While the group did not find any deer in that outing, they did find a carnivorous plant and took a specimen home. The author goes on to describes how the plant gets nourishment and how it received its scientific name.
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.
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.
Manuscript in which the Supervisor of the Ochoco Forest, Lester Moncrief, and storekeeper at Paulina, Lyle Miller, report the numbers of deer hunted. After considering the large number of bucks killed, rangers of the area asserted that the deer population was increasing. The author claims that the increase in population was direct proof that protection of the animals has been key to that success.
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 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 campaigning for the federal government to aid in controlling the fish resources of the Sandy River. The author states that the Fish Commission and Game Commission cannot keep up with the demand of maintaining the fish runs. Document provides a condensed history of the river.
Manuscript describing a skunk and insisting that they receive undue negativity. The author insists the animals are friendly and are not looking for trouble. The author also comments on the two types of skunks most commonly found in Oregon.
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 describing the process of transplanting beavers when they are negatively affecting their environment. The author details the process as well as the advantages this process has on the beaver population.
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 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.
Article describing the causes for the decline in fish populations in Oregon due to pollution and addition of hatchery raised fish. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
William L. Finley writes fondly about one of the first areas that he and Herman T. Bohlman took photographs of birds. He comments on the transformation of the Ladd's pond area into Laurelhurst Park. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
Document that contains two manuscripts. The first is on the subject of the Varied Thrush (also known as the Alaska or Oregon Robin). John Burroughs wrote a poem about the peculiar bird after his first sighting in Alaska. The second manuscript focuses on the black woodpecker. Captain Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame, authored the first known record of the bird. At Lewis's request, Alexander Wilson created a colored drawing of the bird.
Manuscript that looks at the two species of swan found in America, the whistling and trumpeter swans. Both were found by Lewis and Clark. The author mentions that the swan song has long been associated with death and in comments that this can be applied to the trumpeter swan due to the decline in numbers of the bird.
Manuscript that emphasizes the benefits of introducing children to nature. The author claims that an appreciation for nature is beneficial for mental and physical well being.
Advertisements and articles discussing William Finley's lectures: "Wild animal outposts", "Birds, bergs and Kodiak bears", "Camera hunting on the continental divide", and "Getting personal with mountain lions."
Manuscript about how Jack Horn of the United States Forestry Service protected his goldfish from a Kingfisher. Horn's first batch of fish had been hunted successfully by the bird. Horn learned his lesson and thwarted the bird's future attempts by adding wire netting.
Title lists and notes for William Finley's lectures and films, including "Camera hunting on the continental divide", "Getting personal with mountain lions", and "Ramparts of the north."