WYOMING BIRDS 
This bulletin is the outcome of a survey conducted by the 
Department of Zoology of the University of Wyoming for 
the purpose of ascertaining whether the balance of nature 
has been disturbed as more and more of the territory of the 
state has come under cultivation. It was thought that the 
changing conditions in the state, including increased raising 
of grain and planting of shade trees, would enable more 
birds to find food and suitable nesting places than formerly. 
The birds seemed as likely to be affected as any group of 
animals and the extensive data collected at an earlier pe- 
riod seemed to furnish a basis for comparison. 
Mr. Walker, who had had experience in collecting and 
who is now in the government service, was employed to 
assist with the work of the survey. He has spent two sum- 
mers in the field collecting and has brought together all 
available data from former collectors in the state. Letters 
were also written to prominent citizens of Wyoming in 
regard to the abundance of birds now as compared with ten 
years ago. The results of the work of collectors and the 
observations of citizens all indicate that many birds are on 
the increase, especially those which live partly or wholly 
upon seeds or insects and which are consequently of most 
benefit to farmers in the control of insect pests and weeds. 
Old residents of the state, and collectors whose experi- 
ence extends over a period of several years, are almost uni- 
versally of the opinion that certain birds are much more 
abundant now than formerly. In their replies to circular 
letters sent out, they have frequently specified the species 
which have been affected in this way. It will readiy be 
