DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 47 



Means should be j^rovided for conducting these experiments on a 

 larger scale in several different States. The main problem is to ascer- 

 tain the minimum cost at which prairie dogs may be effectively 

 destroyed under varied conditions. 



STUDIES OF THE FOOD OF BIRDS. 



During the ensuing year the report on the native sparrows will be 

 completed and investigations of the food of flycatchers, swallows, 

 titmice, aud thrushes will be continued. If sufficient material can 

 be obtained, reports on some of these groups may be prepared for 

 publication. A study of the food of purple finches and house finches 

 of the genus Carpodacus is much needed, since the house finch is 

 considered one of the worst fruit pests in California. Some material 

 has already Ijeen collected, but a thorough investigation will neces- 

 sitate careful work in the field as well as in the laboratory. 



ENFORCEMENT OF THE LACEY ACT. 



Much preliminary work is necessary in ascertaining the means by 

 which the preservation of birds under the Lacey Act may be most 

 effectively accomplished. Regulations regarding importation must 

 be arranged so as to relieve importers from undue annoyance and 

 yet enable the Department to maintain a rigid insj)ection of species 

 brought in from foreign countries. A brief compilation of the various 

 State laws that relate to the seasons at Avhich birds may be killed 

 and the regulations under wliich they may be exported is greatlj^ 

 needed for the use of sportsmen and game dealers. Accurate infor- 

 mation should be obtained as to the results of the introduction of Old 

 World pheasants (both English and Mongolian) into the various States, 

 the methods of i^ropagation, and the special laws under which the birds 

 are protected. An investigation of the jDreserves maintained by pri- 

 vate individuals and game associations would doubtless prove very 

 useful in coordinating the efforts now being made to increase these 

 and other game birds. 



Before the Department can advise intelligently regarding the intro- 

 duction of birds, it must know the localities from which the birds can 

 be obtained to the best advantage, and whether the localities in which 

 it is proposed to introduce them will afford proper food, suitable con- 

 ditions of environment, and adequate protection. The latter question 

 involves investigation of the warden system of the various States and 

 the degree to which the game laws are enforced, for evidently it is 

 useless to import birds into a new locality if there is no j)rospect of 

 preserving them until they can obtain a foothold. Popular and well- 

 illustrated reports on pheasants and on some of the native game birds 

 would meet a wide demand and do much to further the interests of 

 game protection. In short, the first and most imj)ortant work lies 

 mainly along the lines of preliminary investigation and general edu- 

 cation. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



The present appropriations are inadequate for the regular investi- 

 gations already under way, and no increase has been made in the fund 

 for biological investigations since 1894, in spite of the fact that the 

 work of the Division has since been considerably enlarged by Congress. 

 Under these circumstances it is impossible to carry out the i)rovisions 



