No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 423 



The progress of ornithology in Pennsylvania is indicated by the 

 numerous inquiries concerning birds and their relation to crops and 

 the insects they destroy, and indicated further by the great num- 

 ber of specimens that are sent to me for the study of the stomach 

 contents and preservation or for answers to inquiries. 



(The Prof, exhibited a small earthen jug). Among my experi- 

 ments during the past year was one in putting up a number of boxes 

 with entrance holes of different sizes to learn exactly the smallest 

 sized hole that the English sparrow would use. The Wren is smaller 

 than the English sparrow, and I found that the smallest possible 

 size that the English sparrow can squeeze into is one and one-fourth 

 inches; now into this little hole (referring to small hole in the 

 earthen jug held in his hand) the wren will go, but the English spar- 

 row can not. In addition to bird houses that are to be built, we 

 have these little jugs for wren's nests and I believe that it will be 

 a successful and unique contrivance. They sell at twenty-five cents 

 each or $2.50 a dozen, and may be obtained from Henry Dreer, of 

 Philadelphia. There is an increasing interest in bird houses and I 

 have been making a study of the kinds of birds that nest in them. 



Finally, I wish to call your attention to what I consider highly 

 desirable legislation. Many do not know that there is a law at 

 present in this State providing for a rebate of taxes to persons who 

 plant trees along the roadside. I have recently had occasion to 

 notice the provisions of this law, requiring that the supervisors 

 shall keep a book for this purpose in which shall be kept a record of 

 the trees so planted and by whom planted, etc. The Deputy Attor- 

 ney General has rendered an opinion that the supervisors can be 

 made to keep this book so that the proper rebate of taxes can be 

 determined, under the law, and the tax must be refunded when the 

 trees are planted, as required. These trees may be fruit trees, such 

 as cherry, mulberry, service or hackberry; in fact they may be any 

 kind of trees that one may wish to plant to protect and feed the 

 birds and afford shade. 



I would also call your attention to the new game bill that has been 

 drafted. It presents many excellent points, and whatever we have 

 to say against that game bill ought to be fought out right here to- 

 night so that we may stand together on it. It is almost impossible 

 to draft a bill that suits everybody. As your ornithologist, I should 

 recommend a few modifications. It is proposed to list the pigeon 

 hawk, the king-fisher and the barred owl as unprotected birds. 



I would object to destroying the pigeon hawk, but not so seriously 

 as to make it an issue. The sparrow hawk may be killed if others 

 desire it. I would object more seriously to the destruction of 

 the king-fisher, for the reason that it eats suckers to a very great 

 extent, and suckers are the enemies of trout. But I would not ob- 

 ject so much to putting king-fishers on the list to be slaughtered 

 as I w^ould the barred owl. I think it ought to be protected ab- 

 solutely. 



Second: I do not believe that from a scientific and practical stand- 

 point it is advisable to put out poison over the woods and fields of 

 our State. I have many reasons for this. I do not know that I 

 need to enumerate them now; I know that during the past week 

 two "trained" men know that they have thus killed only one opos- 

 sum, but also three dogs. I object to the principle involved in 



