88 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



Field invostigatioiis desigiu-d to show the degree of seleetion exer- 

 cised by birds in their feeding have been continued by Dr. Sylvester!). 

 Judd and Prof. F. E. L. Beal. Several farms in the vicinity of Wash- 

 ington have been regularly visited by Dr. Judd during a period of several 

 years, and 640 birds have been collected and their stomachs carefully 

 examined with reference to the food which may be found in the imme- 

 diate vicinit3^ As soon as a few more details of observation have 

 been added the results will be ready for publication. Professor Beal 

 continued the work begun last year in New England, and spent several 

 weeks in April and Ma}^ studying the food of migratory birds imme- 

 diately after arrival upon theii* breeding grounds and before farm 

 crops or wild fruit had matured. The unusually cold weather Which 

 prevailed during May retarded the appearance of insects, and many 

 birds apparently found great difficulty in securing food. Many inter- 

 esting observations were secured in consequence, and it was noticed 

 that some birds, especially warblers, failed to adapt themselves to the 

 unusual conditions, and perished in considerable numbers. Reports 

 were also received from several observers in Xew Hampshire and Mas- 

 sachusetts showing Jhat large numbers of birds were found dead after 

 this cold wave. 



PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 



The object of investigating the food of birds is to obtain reliable 

 information which will enable the farmer to distinguish between spe- 

 cies which are beneficial and those which are injurious to his crops. 

 Such knowledge naturally creates a desire to bring about an increase 

 in the abundance of useful species, and it is very gratifying to note 

 the widesi)read and constantly increasing popular interest in the 

 question of bird j^rotection. During the past year many inquiries 

 have been received in regard to existing State laws on this subject, 

 and the Division has been called upon to furnish information in con- 

 nection with new game laws under consideration in Iowa, New York, 

 Virginia, and the District of Columbia. 



Last January it was re])orted that circulars were being distributed 

 broadcast through the Southern States by certain millinery houses in 

 New York City for the purpose of enlisting the assistance of postmas- 

 ters in securing aigrettes and bird skins to be used for millinery pur- 

 poses. The nuitter was referred to the Post-Office Department and 

 attention was called to the laws of several of the Gulf States which 

 forbid the killing of plume birds. An order was promptly issued by 

 the Postmaster-General and published in the February number of the 

 Postal Guide, prohibiting postmasters from aiding in the collection of 

 such skins or in any way violating the State laws for the protection 

 of birds. 



In March a report was received from the secretary of the Pennsyl- 

 vania Audubon Society to the effect that a contract had been made in 

 Delaware for the delivery of several thousand skins of native birds to 

 certain millinery firms, and requesting the aid of the Department in 

 preventing the wholesale slaughter which would necessarily ensue if 

 the terms of the contract were carried out. The Division at once 

 communicated with the secretary of the Fish and Game Protective 

 Association of Delaware, and through the efforts of that association 

 and the Pennsylvania Audubon Society public sentiment was aroused 

 to such an extent that the proposed destruction of the birds was averted. 



In order to bring the various organizations concerned with the 



