470 V.NXIAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



never been able to learn of any definite case of this kind, and if any- 

 one should find dead birds near sprayed crops, where arsenical 

 poisons have been used, and suspect their death to be due to this 

 cause, we shall be glad to have such birds sent immediately to us at 

 Ilarrisburg, by mail or express, for careful chemical analysis of the 

 stomach contents. 



Dr. E. 11. Forbush, Ornithologist of the vState Board of Agricul- 

 ture, of Massachusetts, has published in his Annual Report of the 

 State Ornithologist of that state for 1909, the results of his careful 

 investigations along this line, after having ver}^ widely advertised for 

 spjcimens of dead birds for analysis. His results are as follows: 



"The investigations of the last three years have shown only two 

 birds that were possibly killed by the arsenate of lead. When we 

 consider the effective advertising that this investigation has had, the 

 number of people who have been on the lookout for dead birds where 

 spraying has been done, the few birds that have been received and 

 the very small percentage (two birds) in the case of which the fatal 

 poisoning by arsenate of lead seems even possible, it seems hardly 

 worth while to continue the investigation." 



BIRD COLONIZATION 



Very successful results have attended the efforts of many persons 

 who have attempted bird colonization, or at least who have done 

 something toward providing for and retaining certain species of 

 birds around their premises. 



Among our recommendations in this practical and important line 

 were the following: Erect for the wrens, small boxes or houses 

 with the entrance not more than one-inch in diameter. This excludes 

 the English sparrow. Erect boxes or leave old stumps or branches 

 with holes for the bluebirds. Leave a few old snags for the wood- 

 peckers, which are among our most beneficial friends in destroying 

 the Codling moth and other insects of the orchard, as well as many 

 forest tree pests. Plant a few of those shrubs, vines, bushes and 

 trtes that will afford, not only bird protection or concealment, but 

 also bird food. Among these varieties are the service berry, also 

 called "shad berry" and "June berry," and known botanically as 

 Amalanchier; the hackberry, the wild grape, the English and Ameri- 

 can ivy, all possible varieties of mulberry and sweet, soft early 

 cherry, such as the Governor Wood. Detailed statements of the 

 methods of attracting birds were published a few years ago in the 

 Monthly Bulletins of the Bureau of Zoology, a few copies of which 

 are yet available for those persons especially interested. We were 

 surprised and gratified at the showing of hands made last night in 

 the meeting of the State Horticultural Association when Mr. Powell 

 asked how many persons had wrens nesting on their premises. Over 

 fifty hands went up. 



THE ROBIN AND THE CHERRY 



This has been the bone of contention, or Bete noir of the horticul- 

 turist. During the season while its young are in the nest and the 

 robin must find food to meet its growing demand, ripe fruits of any 

 kind are liable to be attacked. This can be avoided by planting 

 sweet fruits which its prefers, and which ripen at the same season, 

 such as the shad berry, the Governor Wood cherry, and early mul- 

 berry. 



