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"
Correspondence, reports, and articles discussing the impact of agriculture and reclamation projects on the Lower Klamath, Tule Lake, and Clear Lake Refuges. Topics of focus include the impacts of grazing on bird refuges, construction of dikes and dams on the Klamath and Link Rivers, and possible reflooding of portions of the Lower Klamath Lake.
Manuscript in which William L. Finley observes a bush-tit's nest and the family that occupies it. Provides field observations and colorful descriptions of the family of birds. Also included are Finley's handwritten notes.
Manuscript in which the author describes his enthusiasm for bird watching and using that activity to educate oneself on aviary wildlife. The manuscript discusses a pond near Sunnyside and the birds he has observed. The author expresses concern over boys in the area disrupting the birds.
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.
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.
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.
This manuscript accounts the likability of the bush-tit, pointing out that a scientific description of the bird does not mean that one truly has discovered all there is to know about it.
Manuscript describing a trip. Highlights include the convenience of a machine that provides fuel, shelter, and the ability to cook. Observations of wildlife and the environment are also included.
Correspondence discussing the demonstration train exhibit in California and position of Oregon State Game Warden. Additional topics include William Finley’s efforts to secure funding for the National Association of Audubon Societies and inclusion of Finley’s photographs in William Leon Dawson’s book, Birds of California.
Correspondence discussing the removal of Grover N. Jameson as Deputy Game Warden for Oregon and vacant wardenships for the Cold Springs and Malheur Lake Reservations in Oregon and Clear Lake Reservation in California.
Correspondence discussing William Finley’s appointment on the State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners and concerns about trappers shooting in a reserve near Burns, Oregon.
Manuscript describing Malheur Lake. The author describes the uncomfortable conditions of this trip as well as detailing the dismal quality of the lake's water for drinking.
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.
Article exploring the idea of creating a range for American bison. Finley and other naturalists propose that an upper portion of the Malheur Bird Refuge should be used as a bison range. 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.
Correspondence discussing William Finley’s efforts to gather support as a candidate for the position of Oregon State Game Warden. Additional topics include concerns about California legislation regarding the protection of birds, and Finley’s interest in an Oregon law permitting the establishment of game reserves on private property.
Correspondence discussing concerns regarding Assembly Bill No. 191, which would remove federal protection for meadowlarks. Correspondence also focuses on Oregon legislation, supported by Governor Oswald West, which would replace the position of State Game Warden with a Fish and Game Commission and permit the establishment of game reserves on private property.
Correspondence discussing the vacant positions of Deputy Game Warden and game wardens for the Malheur Lake Reservation and territory around Burns, Oregon. Additional topics include William Finley’s work as part of the State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners, and the inclusion of bird study in Oregon school curriculum.
Correspondence discussing William Finley's plans to create a demonstration train exhibit and lecture to farmers' institutes in California regarding the economic value of birds. Additional topics include Finley’s plans to publish a book about condors, the inclusion of a biographical sketch of Finley in Bird Lore, and possible appointment of Grover N. Jameson as the new Game Warden of the Malheur Lake Reservation.
Correspondence discussing the inclusion of William Finley’s article in Technical World Magazine and requests from Theodore S. Palmer, Bureau of Biological Survey, for Finley to visit and write a report on the conditions of bird reservations in Arizona and New Mexico, including the Salt River, Rio Grande, and Carlsbad Reservations. Additional topics include a request for a lecture for the Albany Chantauqua Association and the establishment of the Mary Dutcher Memorial fund to support the work of William Dutcher, President of the National Association of Audubon Societies.
Correspondence discussing Oregon and Washington legislation regarding the creation of an Oregon State Fish and Game Commission and Washington State Game Warden position. A second focus is the introduction of Senate Bill No. 701, adding a number of bird species to the list of injurious species of California, including grebes, pelicans, and cormorants.
Correspondence discussing William Finley’s lectures for farmers' institutes in California and the creation of a demonstration train exhibit. Correspondence also focuses on the illegal sale of bird plumes for hair decorations and an effort to gather support for L. Alva Lewis as the next Oregon State Game Warden. Additional topics include the increase of grebe nesting and game birds on the Lower Klamath Lake, a proposal to create bird reserves from lands owned by the University of California, and concerns about farmers’ complaints regarding the effects of birds on crops.
Correspondence discussing possible lectures in the eastern United States, inclusion of William Finley’s article, “The Intelligence of Birds”, in Everybody’s Magazine, and a report created by Finley on the conditions of bird reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. Correspondence also discusses charges brought against Claude Hibbard, Game Warden of the Malheur Lake Reservation.
Correspondence discussing concerns regarding trappers disturbing nesting sites on the Malheur Lake Reservation. Additional topics include the purchase of William Finley’s photographs for the Baldwin Sheep and Land Co. catalogue and inclusion of Finley’s article, “The Cruise of Two Camera Hunters” in the June volume of The Pacific Monthly.
Correspondence discussing William Finley’s lectures for farmers' institutes in California, promoting the agricultural value of birds. Additional topics include a proposal for the federal protection of migratory birds and efforts to remove protection for meadowlarks in California.
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 discussing how little is known about California condors. The document details physical characteristics and behavior as well as nesting habitats. Features excerpts from "Condor 1."
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.
Article discussing conservation efforts and endangered bird species, including the trumpeter swan, California condor, and bald eagle. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
Article describing the Finley family's encounters with birds in New Mexico, including banding and photographing juncos. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
Manuscript for a Pacific Monthly article (March 1906) in which William Finley describes his observations of a family of yellowthroats. He discusses the thrill of the hunt when it comes to capturing images of birds.
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 describing the wreckage plume hunting has caused to some bird populations. Author points out that six indictments against two plume hunters had been filed. The defendants fled to California.
Manuscript that depicts a lake trip in which two white herons were spotted and the author fell into the lake when coming face to face with a delegation of waterfowl. Small excerpt from "Home life of birds".
Documents focusing on Lower Klamath Lake, including drainage and proposed reflooding. Other topics include homesteading on Steens Mountain and effects of agriculture on the Clear and Tule Lake Refuges.
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.
Manuscript that describes Mr. and Mrs. Finley's journey to some of the Alaskan islands, including the adoption of two cubs, Cuffy and Tuffy, and capturing whaling on film.
Article describing east coast birds that have traveled to the west coast, including vireos and the American redstart. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.