348 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



On account of the small proportion of scallops taken and tlic jjon- 

 eral habits of the species, it is not thought that the scaup, black duck, 

 and eider are a menace to the scallop industry, nor have they been so 

 accused. This reduces the problem to the status of the scoters, or 

 coots, as enemies of scallops. Of the two species of tliese birds, the 

 yellow-billed or butter-billed coot is not so hardy as the white-winged, 

 and at the season damage to scallops is said to be the greatest — that 

 is, the most severe part of the winter — comparatively few of this 

 species are present. The white- winged scoter, ho^^ever, is abundant, 

 and at the season investigated makes almost half of its entire food of 

 scallops. In the absence of any good done to offset this harm, the 

 economic status of the white-winged scoter is bad, and what should 

 be done about it is the problem. 



Fishermen wish the open season extended so that they may shoot 

 the birds, but it is inexpedient and impracticable to extend the 

 season on a single species of duck. To extend the season on all 

 species would be unwise, for most of the birds need all the protec- 

 tion they now receive. To shift the season to cover a later period 

 conflicts Avith the interests and expressed desires of a large number 

 of hunters of migratory wild fowl in Massachusetts. It would ap- 

 pear, however, that a remedy of this kind is unnecessary, since the 

 scoters and other wild ducks are easily driven away from the scal- 

 lop beds by running a boat near them. They feed on the beds only 

 by day, and hence they can be rather easily controlled. It would 

 seem that the scallop lishermen should be willing to undertake the 

 small cost of patrolling the w\aters over the scallop beds from which 

 their income is derived, but for the upkeep of which they are usually 

 at no expense, 



BIRDS INJURIOUS TO SMALL FRUITS. 



Investigations of fruit-eating birds in Oregon, Washington, and 

 Colorado were concluded early in the fiscal year. The birds involved 

 in the Northwestern States were robins, band-tailed pigeons, purple 

 finches, woodpeckers, and blue jays. The last-named birds are not 

 protected by law, and permits have been issued when necessary for 

 the destruction of robins and band-tailed pigeons. The other birds 

 were not found seriously destructive. In Colorado also the robin 

 was the species most injurious to small fruits, with magpies, band- 

 tailed pigeons, woodpeckers, orioles, and tanagers of less importance. 

 The magpie is not protected by law and robins may now be killed 

 under permit. Modification of the protected status of the other birds 

 concerned seemed unnecessary. 



SURVEYS OF THE FEEDING GROUNDS OF WILD FOWL. 



In continuation of the investigation of feeding grounds of wild 

 fowl, work was begun among the very numerous and important lakes 

 and marshes of Minnesota. Progress was made in the survey and 

 information furnished to interested persons on the value in their 

 natural condition of lakes involved in proposed drainage operations. 

 Reports have been prepared on the previous seasons' surveys. 



MISCELLANEOUS WORK IN ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. 



An assistant visited Fishers Island, N. Y., in September to observe 

 the notable flights of hawks, to study the relation of these birds to a 



