FORM M19 L 
 
 
                ESTABLISHED 1802 
 
    E.I. Du PONT DE NEMOURS & COMPANY 
                 INCORFORATED 
          SMOKELESS POWDER DEPARTMENT 
          WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 
 
 
SPORTING POWDER DIVISION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Mr. Aldo Leopold, 
      431 Chemistry Bldg., 
      Madison, Wisconsin. 
 
 
May 39, 1939 
 
 
(U.W.) 
 
 
My dear Leopold:- 
 
 
            The following received from Earl A. Fry and 
 
quoted for your benefit in connection with your future 
 
survey in Idaho:- 
 
      "The same character of waterfowl sickness as found 
      formerly in Utah and prevalent now in Oregon and 
      Northern California has appeared in various parts of 
      Idaho. Most trouble has been found in the American 
      Falls district and some in recent months on the lakes 
      of northern Idaho. 
 
      Thomas reports the American Falls trouble is found 
      mostly in the swamp areas of the/ pvect, this being 
      near the intake where the lake is shallow and where, 
      with the withdrawal of water, there is a lot of pot 
      holes left with stagnant water. He is sending the 
      diseased ducks to laboratories for examination. 
 
 
jI " 
 
 
Extensive dying off of native birds, including the sage 
hens, grouse, etc., is causing some alarm, the trouble 
coming apparently from the tick. These birds are found 
dead with their heads covered with ticks. It is thought 
that death is caused from Tularemia and research work is 
being carried on by the department to find the exact cause 
and the possible cure. 
 
A problem with the deer is before the department at this 
time. A heavy increase has been shown to the extent of 
possible shortage of feeding areas which in turn brings 
up the problem of sheep and cattle grazing on game areas. 
 
Thomas tried to get a bill thru the last legislature allow- 
ing the department to kill off certain numbers of deer 
(this with the permission of the Governor) on areas that were 
becoming too thickly populated.