WyomINc Birps. 15 
~ 
that swarm down from Canada in the fall and feed on the 
rank growth of weeds bordering roadsides and cultivated 
fields. He examined the stomachs of many Tree Sparrows 
and found them entirely filled with weed seed, and con- 
cluded that each bird consumed at least a quarter of an 
ounce daily. Upon this basis, after making a fair allow- 
ance of the number of birds to the square mile, he calcu- 
lated that in the State of Iowa alone the Tree Sparrow an- 
nually destrays about 1,750,000 pounds, or about 875 tons, 
of weed seed during its winter sojourn.” 
These quotations are, perhaps, sufficient to call attention 
to the fact of the enormous economic value of birds. We 
are likely to underestimate their services until we study 
their habits more carefully than is our custom. Many birds 
destroy a certain amount of grain and fruit, but even these 
do more good than harm in nearly every case. With very 
few exceptions, birds are beneficial and are protected by law. 
Aside from their practical value, birds add to our pleas- 
ure. That being the case, it is well to attract them to our 
homes by placing food where they are likely to seek it and 
by planting shrubs and trees to which they may come and 
build their nests. 
This bulletin is not intended to take the place of Prof. 
W. C. Knight’s bulletin on “The Birds of Wyoming,” which 
contains descriptions of the birds and many figures. It in 
no way replaces the earlier work, but furnishes local lists 
which should be of service to any who may wish to study 
the birds of a certain locality. It brings together the work 
of various collectors and observers who have given the sub- 
ject considerable attention. It brings the result of the com- 
bined efforts of all collectors up to date. As stated above, 
forty-five new records for the state are established, as well 
as a few new breeding records. Comments are added at the 
