Western United States, 1918 : Correspondence, field reports, and reference materials (1 of 2)

Abstract

This is the first of two folders that document Alexander Wetmore's collecting and observations of the western United States, 1918 while working for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Bureau of Biological Survey. Materials include telegrams, news clippings, political cartoons, licenses, correspondence, reports, reference materials, and receipts. Documents relate to continued investigations to control crop damage from birds, specifically ducks damaging rice crops. Materials documents public opinion about use of explosives by farmers, and growing sense of urgency to find a solution during the last two weeks of August (harvest time). Includes license and instructions for use of "Duck bomb." Correspondence discusses communications with California Board of Fish and Game and with the officials of the USDA. Includes a report, The birds in the Lake Area in the Chusca Mountains, New Mexico (includes itinerary and annotated list of birds). Areas effected included: California, Washington, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Date Range

1918

Start Date

1918

End Date

1918

Access Information

Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.

Topic

• Crop losses
• Animals
• Birds
• Ducks
• Rice
• Ornithology

Place

• San Francisco
• New Mexico
• United States
• Texas
• California
• Sacramento Valley
• Washington
• Arizona
• Chusca Mountains

Form/Genre

• Fieldbook record
• Field notes
• Reports
• Correspondence
• clippings (information artifacts)

Accession #

SIA RU007006

Collection name

Alexander Wetmore Papers, circa 1848-1979 and undated

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Location

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Sublocation

Box 139 Folder 1