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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
Manuscript that appears to be an initial edit of a lecture. The manuscript describes the author's efforts in collecting data, combining the results and findings of three exploratory trips.
The manuscript argues that the land that has been used for homesteads should be returned to the birds of the area. The land is not suitable for farming long term due to its often alkaline nature. The ill suited land distribution is contributing to the decline of duck and geese populations as well as the other native water fowl.
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 describing the activities of La Prath, a French-Canadian professional hunter. The author details the places, types of birds, and compensation.
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.
Article discussing changes in bird populations due to human development and expansion, including observations of birds on the Finley property. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.
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.
Document that contains two manuscripts. The first is on the subject of housing for birds, including bird box homes. The second is primarily focused on swallows.
Article discussing elk populations in Oregon, including hunting seasons and the transfer of an elk herd from Jackson Hole, Wyoming to the Wallowa National Forest. Submitted to the Oregon Journal newspaper.