256 ANNUAL BEPOKTS OF DEPARmiENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



these reports have been the basis also of publications on the propaga- 

 tion of wild-duck foodb, four of which have been issued, one during 

 the present year. This latest bulletin treats in detail eight groups of 

 wild- duck food plants and recommends 40 others in the hope that 

 dealers may be induced to put them upon the market. Sportsmen are 

 showing a lively interest in this part of our work, owing to its direct 

 practical bearing on the perpetuation of our migratory waterfowl. 



STARLING STUDIES. 



Field investigation of the economic status of the introduced star- 

 ling, begun in April, 1916, was continued until the middle of October 

 in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, 

 and Massachusetts. Subsequently, most of the stomachs collected 

 were examined in the laboratory and the resulting information placed 

 in tabular form. 



The starling has been found destructive to cherries and, to a much 

 less degree, to late fruits,, but the bird has been proved also to have 

 many redeeming qualities. While the exact extent of its insect- 

 eating habits can not be established until all the material is exam- 

 ined, enough has been learned to warrant the statement that it is one 

 of the most effective bird enemies of ground-insect pests, in this 

 respect ranking much higher than some of our common native birds. 



Reports that starlings are driving out native species are frequently 

 exaggerated, and, when considered from a purely economic stand- 

 point, should cause no alarm, as the starling must be considered 

 at least equal, if not superior, to two of the species most frequently 

 molested, namely, the flicker and the robin. The latter, especially, 

 is proving to be a distinct menace to the raiser of small fruits in some 

 sections of the Northeast. Experiments were conducted to perfect 

 methods for eradicating starling roosts where these are established 

 in residential sections of cities. 



ECONOMIC STATUS OF OTHER BIRDS. 



Examination of bird stomachs by groups was continued to the 

 extent permitted by other assignments of the staff. The principal 

 work along this line was analysis of pellets of owls, and of the 

 stomach contents of hawks and oavIs. Studies of the wood duck 

 were completed, and a large number of stomachs of cowbirds, 

 red-winged and crow blackbirds, and robins collected during the 

 starling investigation were examined, to supply data for compari- 

 son between the economic tendencies of these birds and the starling. 

 A Farmers' Bulletin entitled " Common Birds of Southeastern 

 United States in Relation to Agriculture " was published during the 

 year. It shows the food habits of 23 species of that region and gives 

 a general account of the relations of birds to the insect pests of the 

 South. A report on "The Crow and Its Relation to Man" and on 

 " Food Habits of thetSwalloAvs : A Family of Valuable Native Birds " 

 ha.ve been submitted for publication. 



INFORMATION ON ATTRACTING BIRDS. 



By means of a series of publications information has been dis- 

 seminated on methods of attracting birds and increasing their num- 

 bers. Most of the species which are susceptible of approach along 



