298 ANNUAL, REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



blue-winged teal, red-headed widgeon, and barnacle geese intended 

 for exhibition in public zoological gardens or for propagation in 

 private collections. 



Among the rarer birds from Venezuela and Colombia were two 

 Venezuela parrots (Amaso?ia harhadensh) , several bare-ej'ed robins 

 {Plancstkus gymnophthahnus)^ a puffbird {Biicco hlcinctus), a car- 

 dinal {Paroaria nlgrlgenis), three black-necked screamers {Chaunci 

 chavaria)^ and several species of tanagers. 



Eeports of losses due to deaths among the birds en route were mucli 

 more frequent than in any previous year. Tliese were due in part to 

 the long voyages from Australia and Java, but also to lack of care 

 in handling* the birds or packing them for shipment. 



IMPORTATION OF QUAIL FROM MEXICO. 



The regulations governing the importation of quail from Mexico 

 remained in force without change during the past season, except 

 that the time of entr}- was extended three weeks at the end of the 

 season. The season was open in 1919 from February 15 to April oO. 

 The ports of entry were the same as last year, Laredo and Eagle Pass, 

 Tex., and Xew York City. Through cooperation of the Bureau of 

 Animal Industry, the usual 10 days' quarantine was maintained ;ib 

 the two ports in Texas, and a thorough inspection of the birds was 

 made during the period of detention. The first permit was issued 

 January 8, 1919, and the number of quail for Avhich permits were is- 

 sued was 10,730, but the number released from quarantine was only 

 4,358. as compared with permits issued for 10,500 and the release of 

 5J205' in 1918. 



Notwithstanding the fact that preparations were made long in 

 advance of the season, both by importers and by several of the State 

 ganse connnissioners, to secure a large number of birds, the total 

 number of quail secured was so small that only a fraction of the 

 orders could be filled. The long-continued drought in the Southwest, 

 and particularly in the States of Coahuila and Tamaulipas, where 

 most of these quail are captured, appears to have so reduced the 

 number of quail that it was impossible to secure birds to meet the 

 demand. Comparatively few birds held died during the quarantine 

 period, and no case of quail disease was reported. 



INFORMATION CONCERNING GAME LAWS. 



Tlie regular annual publications, including a directory of officials 

 and organizations concerned with the jji'otection of birds and game, 

 the nineteenth annual sunuuary of game laws, and a general poster 

 showing open seasons for game in the United States and Canada, 

 were issued and were widely distributed. The special poster show- 

 ing open seasons in North Carolina, where a multitude of local laws 

 apply to particular counties, has been discontinued. Copies of all 

 changes in State laws relating to game were received, carded, and 

 indexed for reference. 



The Summary of the Game Laws of the United States and Canada 

 for this year is the nineteenth annual juiblication of this bulletin. 

 It is of widespread interest among sportsmen and conservationists 

 and is of much practical service. An edition of 100.000 copies was 

 requii-ed to meet the demand and supply the necessary distribution. 



