26 THE BUREAU OF SCIENCE 



ficient to show the nature of the field for investigation offered in 

 the study of the food of this species of bird. The grebe may 

 be injurious to the shrimp fishermen, but on the other hand it 

 is possible that the water bug which it eats is injurious to the 

 young fishes. Therefore further study is necessary before this 

 bird can be classified as injurious or beneficial. 



These two illustrations show the importance of including all 

 species of birds in the food investigation. Birds that are least 

 expected to be of economic importance may prove to be highly 

 beneficial or injurious. 



In connection with the food investigation a blank has been 

 prepared asking for information on the food habits of birds. 

 This blank will be sent to members of the Agricultural Congress 

 for the purpose of obtaining data as to what birds are injurious 

 or beneficial to the farmer in various provinces. A circular 

 letter has been printed to be sent with the blanks. The president 

 of the Congress has approved this plan and promised the co- 

 operation of the members. 



Bureau of Science press bulletin No. 32, which was distributed 

 September 23, 1914, has been revised and illustrated with small 

 cuts of some Philippine birds. This is issued as a 14-page 

 pamphlet with the title Birds in their Economic Relation to 

 Man. The pamphlet is intended for distribution in the Philip- 

 pine Islands in order to call attention to the very practical value 

 of birds as protectors of forests, crops, etc. 



Miscellaneous work was carried on as follows: Commercial 

 taxidermic work such as mounting specimens of birds and fruit 

 bats; the sale of scientific specimens to collectors in the United 

 States ; the dispatch of six cases of mounted birds for exhibition 

 at the Northern Luzon Fair at Baguio; 500 numbers of plant 

 specimens collected for the section of botany and for identification 

 of food of birds; a series of rat specimens sent to the United 

 States National Museum for identification in order to determine 

 the host of the flea responsible for the transmission of plague; 

 birds sent to the United States National Museum for identifica- 

 tion ; etc. Specimens have been gradually added to the collection 

 of birds, and new or rare species have been reported. 



SECTION OF ENTOMOLOGY 



There was no appropriation for an entomologist ; consequently 

 none has been on duty during the year, and all the work accom- 

 plished by this section has been done under the supervision of 

 the ornithologist. The regular stock of silkworms has been car- 

 ried through the year. Those who have applied for silkworms 



