540 ANNUAL REPORTS OP DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



just been issued. This is the first of a series of reports upon this 

 region, which w\\\ be issued as rapidly as possible. 



In addition to the area just named, work has been done also in 

 Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee. The results obtained will be 

 incorporated as rapidly as possible into final reports on the region. 

 The biological survey of Alabama is under way, and will be pu.shed 

 to completion as quickly as practicable. The field work of this 

 branch of the biological survey in the lower Mississippi Valley is 

 (^f special value at the present time, owing to rapid agricultural de- 

 velopment and the necessity for studying the habits of the birds and 

 mammals found there, since many of them are of marked economic 

 importance. 



Office work, making available the vast amount of information col- 

 lected during the years of field work of the Survey, has advanced 

 .satisfactorily. Great progress has been made in mapping the dis- 

 tribution of both birds and mammals, thus placing these data in 

 shape to be of direct service in the States covered by the various 

 species. These maps are being issued in connection with various 

 publications. 



Large additions have been made to the great store of information 

 already accumulated concerning bird migration ; also concerning the 

 distribution and habits of birds. Bulletins have already been pub- 

 lished on the distribution and migration of warblers, waterfowl, and 

 shore birds. Another bulletin is now in preparation on the distri- 

 bution and migration of herons and ibises. 



A monograph on wood rats of the genus Neofoma, a group of 

 v:idely distributed rodents, which occur from coast to coast in the 

 United States, has been published, giving a description of the species 

 and their distribution. Many species are of more or less economic 

 importance, and one has harbored plague-infected fleas. 



A report upon the muskrats has been published, giving descrip- 

 tions of the known species in North America, with a brief account 

 of their range, habits, and character, and the value of their fur. 

 While individually insignificant, these mammals are collectively 

 among the most valuable fur bearers, and they are worthy of careful 

 protection. 



A report on spiny pocket mice {Hetei'omys and Liomys) has been 

 issued. These animals occur along our southern border, and, like 

 other pouched rodents, are more or less injurious to crops wherever 

 they occur in cultivated areas. 



During the first part of the A'^ear a biological reconnoissance was 

 made across the northern part of British Columbia with special 

 reference to the distribution of the species of birds and mammals 

 occurring also within our territory to the north or south. This work 

 was done at small expense to the Survey through the generous co- 

 operation of Mr. George Mixter. A report for publication upon 

 the work is in course of preparation. 



An elaborate report on the birds of Texas is well advanced toward 

 completion and should be ready for publication during the coming 

 year. 



During the summer of 1910 the Smithsonian Institution undertook 

 the organization of a biological survey of the Canal Zone. This was 

 considered to be of such great and immediate interest that the Presi- 



