368 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



many rare species not often brought in have been received during 

 the year. On the other hand, a few birds formerly common, as the 

 rhea, or South American ostrich, have fallen off to such an extent 

 that an entry is a noteworthy event, only two or three shipments 

 containing rlieas being received during the year. 



An unusual number of interesting birds arrived from South 

 America and from Australia and the neighboring islands. Among 

 these may be mentioned 9 pileated herons {Pilherodius plleatus) from 

 Colombia, a black guan {Ahurria aburri) from Venezuela, a Cassin 

 macaw {Ara auricollis) and a Weddell parrakeet {Eupsittula loed- 

 delli) from Bolivia, a number of kagus {Rhinochetus jubatus) from 

 New Caledonia, 25 Philippine pectoral rails {Flypotaenklia philip- 

 pinensis), 55 New Guinea pink-headed pigeons {Ptilopus superbus) , 

 a Ducorps cockatoo (Cacatua ducorpsi) from the Solomon Islands, 

 and a number of Australian species, as the semipalmated goose {An- 

 seravas se?)iipah}iata) , the regent bower bird {Sericulus tnelinus). 

 the Morton Bay rosella parrot {Platt/cercus palltdiceps) , the Bourke 

 parrakeet (Neophema bourkei), the gold and green lory {Psitteu- 

 teles chlorolepidotus) . the Princess Alexandra parrakeet {Polytelis 

 olexandrae) , and a large number of other parrots, cockatoos, and 

 love birds. 



IMPORTATIONS OF QUAIL FROM MEXICO. 



Through the cooperation of the Bureau of Animal Industry inspec- 

 tion of quail from Mexico was provided, as heretofore, at Browns- 

 ville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass, Tex., from November 1 to April 20. 

 Quarantine of birds, however, was not required if the shipments 

 showed no evidence of quail disease. Few birds arrived until the 

 latter part of January. The total number of quail entered during 

 the season was 37,953, the largest number ever entered in any one 

 year. At Brownsville 9,773 birds were entered; at Laredo, 15,408; 

 and at Eagle Pass, 12,772. Quail disease appeared at Laredo about 

 February 23, and 500 birds were placed in quarantine, but with 

 this exception few losses due to the disease occurred. On the whole 

 the season was one of the most successful in recent years. Most of 

 the quail imported were shipped to the State game authorities of 

 Kentucky, Maryland, and Pennsylvania and were distributed for 

 propagating purposes; Kentucky received 6,600 and Maryland 

 10,317. The Maryland consignments, comprising nearly a third of 

 the total number imported, suffered a loss of less than 1 per cent 

 through deaths en route. 



The number of quail received from Mexico during the 12 years 

 since importation began has now reached a total of 152,348. Many 

 of the birds this season were sold at prices ranging from $18 to $24 

 or more a dozen, which would make the cost to purchasers of the 

 importations this year between $55,000 and $75,000. 



PUBLICATION AND INFORMATIONAL WORK. 



During the year 24 publications of the department prepared in 

 the Biological Survey were issued, including 5 revisions of earlier 

 bulletins; and at the close of the year 11 manuscripts, including 3 

 revisions, were in press or had been submitted to the Assistant Sec- 

 retary for publication, and 4 new manuscripts prepared during the 



