BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 541 



dent approved the plan to have specialists from various bureaus 

 detailed to the work. In cooperation with the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution the Biological Survey has charge of the investigation of the 

 mammal and bird life of the zone, and has already secured very inter- 

 esting and valuable results. 



Throughout the year large numbers of specimens have been identi- 

 fied for colleges, experiment stations, and individuals. The classifi- 

 cation of the data in our files, as well as the preparation of the 

 maps showing the distribution of the birds and mammals, is of great 

 vahie in connection with the study of the economic relation of the 

 species and as a basis for laws for the protection of useful kinds and 

 the destruction of noxious ones. As the files are being brought more 

 and more nearly up to date, this information becomes increasingly 

 useful. 



IMPORTATIONS. 



Although the restrictions on importation imposed by the Lacey 

 Act are widely known, efforts to import objectionable birds and mam- 

 mals continue and require constant watchfulness. 



The usual supervision of the importation of birds and other 

 animals required by section 241 of the United States Criminal Code 

 has been maintained. Five hundred and nineteen permits have been 

 issued and 123 of the consignments have been inspected by the 

 regular inspectors of the Biological Survey stationed at New York, 

 Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Under these permits there have 

 been imported 450,946 birds and 4,063 mammals. Of the birds 

 345,210 were canaries, 13,398 pheasants, 36,507 European partridges. 

 5,994 miscellaneous game birds, and 49,837 miscellaneous nongame 

 birds. In addition 24,318 birds and 1,364 mammals requiring no 

 permit were admitted to entry, making the total entries during the 

 year 354,858 canaries, 13,398 pheasants, 36,507 European partridges, 

 6,163 miscellaneous game birds, 64,338 miscellaneous nongame birds, 

 and 5,427 mammals. Thirty-two permits were issued at Honolulu, 

 under which there were entered 63 birds, 7 mammals, and 3 reptiles. 

 Of the pheasants 12,326 were English ringnecks, imported for stock- 

 ing game covers, and the rest miscellaneous species, including two 

 of the rare Argus pheasants, which are brought in chiefly for aviary 

 purposes. European partridges showed an increase of 93 per cent 

 over last vear's importation. The importation of quail from Mexico 

 reached 3*,110 as against 1,246 in 1909-10. The Formosan teal was 

 apparently first imported into the United States August 2. 1909, 

 and 178 entered the United States before July 1, 1910, and 146 more 

 during the current year. 



Among miscellaneous nongame birds five of the greater birds of 

 Paradise were probably the first living individuals of this species 

 ever brought in. although the skins of these beautiful birds are very 

 jK)pular for millinery. Interesting also is the entry on May 31 of 

 four barbets {Trachythonus cafer)^ apparently the first importation 

 of this striking species. Of the Shama thrush, one of the most 

 attractive songsters of India, 237 were brought in. as compared with 

 231 last year, and of the beautiful Lady Gould finches of Australia, 

 273, as compared with 460 last year. As a result of overstocking 

 the market, importation of the Indian yellowhammer fell from 1,945 



