158 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



tries. The December number, on "The Lizards of Pennsylvania," is unique in 

 discussing in detail the food and economic features of our native lizards, which 

 is a subject that has never before been given careful consideration by any in- 

 vestigator or author. 



The February number on "Bird Preservation" was much appreciated and 

 sought, and fortunately has been followed by many persons in the construc- 

 tion of bird houses and planting certain kinds of shrubs and trees to give food 

 for the birds. Tlie April number described practically all the common insects 

 of this State under the classification of the plant or property which they infest, 

 and this numljer has been pronounced by the press of this State, as well as by 

 practical horticulturists and farmers, as the most valuable of the entire series 

 of Bulletins that have yet been issued from this office. 



Our time is fully taken up with a most extensive correspondence, averaging 

 from forty to fifty letters per day, besides the printed literature of more than 

 one page of new matter each day, and we consequently have no time for the 

 preparation of a more detailed Annual Repoit. Those who are interested are 

 invited to come into the office to inspect the various rooms thoroughly, to see 

 the method of receiving and filing reports and sending notifications, and of 

 receiving, filing and indexing all communications and specimens, see the col- 

 lection in its working and workable condition and learn for themselves that 

 this ofRce is not a sinecure but an opportunity for a willing person to render 

 an immense amount of important and needed public service in saving the 

 crops or other property of this State from an annual loss which the United 

 States authorities have justly estimated at not less than thirty million dol- 

 lars. That we have succeeded in a goodly measure in this work is manifest 

 bj'' the many new orchards, and the increased study of insects, birds and 

 other creatures in rural or farm life. 



I take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the generally faithful 

 and efficient co-operation of the field inspectors who have been assigned to 

 their various stations, and of the investigators and office assistants who have 

 worked with me in a most harmonious manner during the year, giving a 

 greater number of hours of service per week than is generally given to public 

 service, and earnestly co-operating in sustaining the work of the office. To 

 m^y most faithful, competent, conscientious and earnest Assistant Economic 

 Zoologist, Mr. A. F. Satterthwait, of Chester county, is due much credit for 

 faithful performance of services, thus relieving me of what has previously been 

 a load of details. I further desire to express my appreciation of the uniform 

 support and encouragement given by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Gov- 

 ernor, the Legislature and my fellow-officers in every capacity. 



Respectfully, 



H. A. SURFACE, 



; Economic Zoologist. 



