192 BIRD FRIENDS 



Work of the National Government 



The United States Bureau of Biological Survey. 

 One of the most important steps ever taken in this 

 country in the interest of bird-protection was the 

 estabHshment, in 1885, of the United States Bureau 

 of Biological Survey, as a result of the activities of 

 the American Ornithologists' Union. This Bureau 

 began the study of the economic relations of birds. 

 The findings of this study have been the foundation 

 for nearly all the legislation in this country for the 

 protection of song-birds and birds of prey. The facts 

 here found regarding the food of birds have been 

 the chief arguments used in influencing legisla- 

 tures to pass laws protecting birds. The Audubon 

 Societies have worked in close touch with the Bureau 

 of Biological Survey. All important plans and 

 movements of the National Association are adopted 

 after consultation with the Bureau. 



The work of the Bureau was first started by Dr. 

 C. Hart Merriam who, with one assistant, began to 

 investigate the economic relations of birds to agri- 

 culture. The number of men employed has been 

 increased and the scope of the field enlarged, till it 

 now includes the study of the economic relations of 

 mammals, the geographic distribution of plants and 

 animals, and the supervision of matters pertaining to 

 game-protection and the importation of foreign birds 

 and animals; and now the preparation of the regu- 



