REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 39 



results of its investigations on the eligibility or ineligibility of the 

 Eurof)ean house si)arrow in America. This material has been since 

 collated and arranged by Dr. F. H. Hoadley, v.dio, from interest in 

 the subject, kindly volunteered his services. 



THE BOBOLINK, OR RICE-BIRD {Dolichonyx oryzivovous). 



Early in the progress of the work it became apparent that, if any 

 credence was to be placed on the testimony ofpersons interested, the 

 bobolink, or rice-bird, must be regarded as one of the most destructive 

 of birds. Hence a special circular to rice growers was prepared, and 

 copies were sent to all planters whose addresses the division was-able 

 to secure. The replies received were so startling in the magnitude 

 of the losses they revealed, that it was thought advisable to make a 

 thorough study of the whole subject of rice culture, and to investi- 

 gate on the spot the manner in which the ravages were committed, 

 in the hope of devising some means, comi^atible with reasonable 

 economy, for lessening their extent. With this object in view the 

 Assistant Ornithologist, Dr. A. K. Fisher, was sent on an extended 

 tour through the rice-growing districts of the Southern States, from 

 Charleston to New Orleans. His investigations were carried on in 

 the spring, at and shortly after the time of jDlanting. At harvest- 

 time in the fall the chief of the division, Dr. C. Hart Merriam, vis- 

 ited the rice fields of portions of South Carolina and Georgia, and 

 witnessed in person the destructive ravages of the birds at the height 

 of the season. Furthermore, to render the investigation still more 

 complete, the Department has employed a special field agent. Col. 

 Alexander Macbeth, whose headquarters are at Georgetown, South 

 Carolina, in the very heart of one of the largest rice-growing dis- 

 tricts. The results of these investigations will be given in full in the 

 forthcoming report of the division. 



The work of the division has not been limited to the study of the 

 English sparrow and bobolink. Circulars of inquiry have been issued, 

 and a large amount of information has been accumulated concerning 

 the food habits of various birds and mammals, with special reference 

 to those of decided economic importance. Among these may be men- 

 tioned the hawks and owls, the crow, the various blackbirds, the 

 gophers, and the small mammals which prey upon poultry. 



For the purpose of jDOsitively determining the exact character of 

 the food habits of birds at different times of the year the division has 

 made a collection of their gizzard and stomach contents. In this un- 

 dertaking it has been aided by ornithologists throughout the country, 

 many of whom have made large contributions, thus doubly utilizing 

 birds killed for strictly scientific purposes. 



From a scientific as well as a practical point of view the work here 

 undertaken cannot fail to prove of great value, and I recommend a 

 continuance of the encouragement which Congress has already given 

 for the thorough study of this interesting subject. 



