666 ANNUAL BEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the groimd-buikling birds native to tlic islmid and those that build 

 in low shrubs, and hence *;rcatly restricts tiie list of beneficial birds 

 that otherwise niioht be introduced. The i n vest i orations in relation 

 to the birds of Porto Kico will be continued until their habits, espe- 

 cially their economic relations, are thoroughly understood, and later 

 a report will be issued based on the data obtained, with such recom- 

 mendation as the facts seem to call for. 



FOOD OF WILD FOWL. 



In continuation of the investigations of the food of wild ducks, an 

 assistant examined duck stomachs obtained in various parts of the 

 country throughout the year and made a trip to important ducking 

 grounds in Arkansas. The trip was made in early summer, at the 

 height of the vegetative season, in order to definitely identify certain 

 vegetable products found in the stomachs of ducks from that locality. 



PLANTS TO A'lTRACT BIRDS. 



The Survey has published a paper on plants useful to attract birds 

 and protect fruit, and continues to gather data on the fruiting season 

 of plants. It is planned to issue circulars Avhich will enable persons 

 in various parts of the country to select such fruit-bearing trees and 

 shrubs as will furnish as nearly as possible a continuous supply of 

 fruit for birds the year round. In pursuance of this Avork the col- 

 lections of the New York and St. Louis botanical gardens were con- 

 sulted and data recorded regarding the locality and season of collect- 

 ing of all specimens of selected genera of important bird foods which 

 have ripe fruit. 



ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF THE CROW. 



Seventeen years having elapsed since the publication of a bulletin 

 on the economic relations of the crow, and as at present there is a 

 wide difference of o]:»inion as to the bird's economic status, it was 

 decided that a thorough investigation of the habits of the bird was 

 advisable. To this end a circular requesting information on the rela- 

 tion of the bird to game and wild birds and farm products was widely 

 distributed, and a very large number of replies was received. In 

 addition, special effort was made to increase the number of crow 

 stomachs for examination. In connection with the report on the 

 common croAV, the economic relations of the other crows, ravens, and 

 jays of the same family will receive careful consideration. 



FOOD OF COMMON BIRDS. 



A Farmers' Bulletin entitled " Some Common Birds in Relation to 

 Agriculture," which was prepared by Prof. F. E. L. Beal, of the 

 Biological Survey, many years ago, has always been in great demand. 

 Over a half million copies have been distributed. In order to furnish 

 additional literature of the same nature, the Survey has prepared 

 during the year two other Farmers' Bulletins on familiar species of 



