20 THE BUREAU OF SCIENCE 



fishes have been investigated. The fish expert has finished 

 several inspection and collecting trips and has occasionally been 

 detailed to solve definite problems. He has worked out a 

 method of conserving the pearl fisheries and of increasing the 

 revenue therefrom for the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. 



Fish culture. — In 1913 a spawning pond for the mosquito fish, 

 Gambusia affinis, was finished near the Bureau of Science. 

 Notices have been published from time to time that mosquito 

 fishes would be supplied free to any one who would apply. A 

 large number have been distributed in the vicinity of Manila, 

 and we have an ample stock ready for distribution. 



The black bass, Mijcropterus salmoides, brought originally 

 from the United States in 1907, have increased in a most satis- 

 factory manner, the two lakes and Trinidad River at Baguio 

 being now well stocked. A shipment of black bass was 

 established in Lake Lanao, Mindanao, on December 22, 1913. 

 The spawning pond for black bass built near the Bureau of 

 Science was inundated by the flood in September, but due to 

 our prompt action in constructing a high fence around it only 

 a few of the bass escaped. The pond is now stocked with 

 between three and four dozen fine bass, which will probably 

 spawn in a few weeks. 



Investigation. — A very good collection of fishes from Mindoro 

 has been identified, and several new species have been discovered. 

 Several manuscripts relating to fish products in the tropics and 

 describing new species of fishes have been prepared and 

 published. 



SECTION OF ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY OF THE BIOLOGICAL 



LABORATORY 



When the Bureau of Science was established little was known 

 of Philippine birds. Considerable work has been carried on 

 in order to determine the Philippine species. The classification 

 of Philippine birds is a primary requisite to economic work on 

 the subject. At the present time our efi"ort is to furnish informa- 

 tion with regard to the habits and distribution of beneficial and 

 injurious birds and of game birds. A mounted collection of com- 

 mon forest birds has been prepared for the use of forestry 

 students so that they may learn the birds of the forests and 

 whether they are injurious or beneficial. This work has neces- 

 sitated several details of the assistant collector to Los Baiios. 

 The chief and the assistant collector made a field trip to Biliran 

 Island, Leyte Province, Avhich occupied the period May 16 to 

 July 8, 1914. A trip was made to Dagupan to collect water 



