358 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



tliat had been cut off by wireworms, and he jumped to the conclusiou 

 that the Robins were pulling his plants, and proceeded to shoot his 

 most beneficial friends. The correct interpretation was that the 

 plants were cut off by pests for which there is no practical remedy at 

 this time of year, and the Robins were feeding extensively on those 

 pests, but as some of the plants remained in the ground where the 

 wire worms were to be found, although cut off and dying, the birds 

 found them in their way and threw them aside. It is doubtful if the 

 killing of the birds was justified under such circumstances, even with 

 the positive and conscientious belief that they were doing damage. 

 It was the duty of the truck grower to ascertain the facts of the 

 case and act intelligently upon them, fully as much as it was his 

 duty or privilege to protect his crops. 



Details of the above case are published for the sake of emphasiz- 

 ing the importance of correctly interpretating what is to be observed 

 in Nature, and acting most intelligently and properly. It is gener- 

 ally wrong interpretation of observed facts which leads to the com- 

 mon popular errors concerning Natural History subjects rather than 

 mere fabrication of false belief. For example, the popular erroneous 

 idea that there is a Horn Snake with a poisonous sting in its tail 

 appears to be founded upon the observed fact that the House Snake 

 or Milk Snake has a tail that is rather hard and pointed and from 

 the observation of this, the story of the Horn Snake appears to have 

 grown. It is to be hoped that readers will join in aiding the work 

 of the Economic Zoologist to ascertain and publish the truth in 

 Nature. 



There has been a great deal of complaint concerning foreigners 

 shooting birds. It appears that in the Old Country even the smallest 

 birds are shot and trapped for food, and foreigners do not learn to 

 respect our laws in this regard. The Game Commissioner has had a 

 great deal of trouble in attempting to enforce the laws for protect- 

 ing birds among foreigners, especially in the mining region. His 

 efforts are commendable and good results are seen. 



We have received inquiries concerning spraj' liquids killing birds, 

 and have replied to the effect that we believe this never results. 

 The only way in which poison could be taken or SHch results could 

 occur would be by the birds eating insects that have been poisoned 

 by feeding upon foliage holding arsenical insecticides or eating 

 poisoned fruits. As birds do not eat dead insects this can not occur 

 as one of the undesirable results of spraying. 



Something has been said concerning the introduction of Pheasants 

 in this country. This is commendable and could no doubt be made 

 successful. The Pheasant in its habits can be considered as inter- 

 mediate between the Ruffed Grouse or our common game bird com- 

 monly but wrongly called the "Pheasant" and the domesticated 

 Guinea. It would thrive along the edge of thickets and in partially 

 open pastures, in practically the same places as the Quail preferred 

 when it was abundant in this State. It is a beautiful bird, insecti- 

 vorous and seed-eating in its feeding habits, and might become one 

 of our important game birds. It has been succes.sfully introduced 

 along the western coast of the United States, and we know of its 

 breeding undomesticatcd in the State of New York. We would 

 recommend it as a bird to propagate and introduce in this State. 



