PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 25. 81 



deputies, in order that the biologist may determine the cause of 

 death or the prevailing disease. Any inhabitant of the Common- 

 wealth may obtain pathological examinations of fish and birds 

 free of charge by sending the specimens to Dr. David L. Belding, 

 80 East Concord Street, Boston, Mass., or to the office of the 

 Fish and Game Commission, Room 321, State House. A letter 

 containing the necessary information relative to the case should 

 accompany each specimen. 



Information Bureau. Considerable time is given to answering 

 the numerous and varied requests for information concerning 

 fish and game and the fishing industries. Many of these ques- 

 tions cannot be answered off hand, and necessitate lengthy 

 searching through records before the desired information can be 

 obtained. 



Special Investigations. From time to time occasions require 

 special investigations relative to problems, biological or other- 

 wise, which suddenly arise at the fish hatcheries, the bird farms 

 or in the salt-water fisheries. This type requires the biologist to 

 visit various parts of the State for brief periods in order to study 

 and report upon the conditions. 



Educational Work. - - During the past year special attention 

 has been given to the education of the public in the interests of 

 the fish and game protection. Plans for a quarterly bulletin 

 which will deal in a popular manner with fish and game life 

 have been perfected, and legislative enactment is alone necessary 

 to permit the publication of a work which has already been 

 wonderfully successful in other States; also, provisions have been 

 made to distribute correct information at stated times to the 

 press, magazines and fish and game associations. 



In 1916 special pamphlets containing directions for the propa- 

 gation of quail and mallard ducks were provided for distribution. 



Reports of Investigations. During the past year there have 

 been published the following reports dealing with the investiga- 

 tions of the biological department: 



(1) A report upon the life history, growth and culture of the 

 soft clam (Mya arenaria). 



(2) A preliminary study of the otter trawl fishery. 



(3) A report upon the fisheries of Buzzards Bay, presenting 

 various information concerning methods of increasing the supply 

 of food fish, with special emphasis on trap fishing. 



The following reports are now in process of completiony^d", 

 require only the suitable opportunity for publication: 





