Article describing the decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River in Washington and a treaty that was formed between Canada and America. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
Manuscript that delves into the game records for duck hunting, finding that the two states with the largest number of birds bagged were permitted to use bait. The author explains that the reason why there was such a concentration of birds in California and Illinois, is that they lie on the most naturally attractive waterways. Other states are mentioned, but the main focus is on California and Illinois. The document goes on to say that the practice of baiting creates an unfair advantage and those that do not bait tend to later follow after seeing the baiters' success. The federal government banned the use of bait in respects to duck hunting.
Manuscript describing the author's understanding of the plumage hunters' motivation. The author lays the blame of demand of plumage at the feet of plumage dealers, milliners, and the women who buy plumage.
William L. Finley and Ed Averill describe the many Oregon birds that flew down to winter in warmer climates, including ducks and geese. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
Manuscript that is compiled of various excerpts. The main focus of the manuscript is the devastation of bird populations due to plumage hunting for fashion and other interests.
Manuscript that marvels at how birds adapt and seem to remember their environment. Author remarks on the difference in behavior of birds when they perceive danger.
Correspondence, field notes, and article drafts concerning the animals and environment observed on the Finleys' trip to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Begins with a three page log of the Alaska trip. Drafts of Irene Finley's articles, "Two big game animals of Unimak Island" and "Cruising along the Aleutian chain", are included.
Article describing birds who enjoyed meals left out for them during the winter. An excerpt describing birdhouse building is included. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
Manuscript that discusses the dwindling numbers of the Bighorn sheep. Contributing factors to the decrease of Bighorns include hunting and contact with domestic sheep. The domestic sheep contributed the most in the decline due to a disease they carried and spread to the Bighorns. The author advocates for a refuge for the remaining Bighorns in order to remove any contact from domestic sheep in both the summer and winter seasons.
A brief manuscript in which William L. Finley speaks about the satisfaction of his life. An angler friend of his claimed that Finley's life was just a prolonged vacation. Finley says that he just surrounds himself with the things he loves most, his wife, his children, and nature.
Manuscript in which the author describes the need for duck conservation in Oregon due to hunting. Duck hunters want the season to be longer, which is reflected in a new game bill that was introduced in the Senate (Senate Bill 99) and the House of Representatives (House Bill 108). The document asks the Oregonian to "raise its voice" in response to the duck hunters.
Manuscript describing the work that Audubon societies have accomplished in preserving bird populations. Author calls people of Oregon to action in supporting their local society.
Article describing three types of bluebirds, including observations of a bluebird pair on the Finley property. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
The article promotes the virtues of the outdoors in Oregon, from salmon fishing in the Umpqua to the forests in the Willamette Valley. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
An overview of bats, including diet, mating season, and appearance. A brief discussion of bat species in Oregon is included. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.