2.30 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICU1.TUEK. 



ers as the Department was able to socuvo, and to tlie editors of news- 

 pa].)ers pnblished in the rice-growiiig districts. 



FoUowing are copies of the circulars issued by the Division of Eco- 

 nomic Ornithology and Mammalogy in Jidy, 1880: 



[Circular No. 1.] 

 CIRCULAR ON THE FOOD-HABITS OF EIRDS. 



It is well known that certain birds are directly destructive to farm crops, caxising 

 a loss of many tliousands of dollars each year, and that others are highly beneficial, 

 preying upon mice and insects which are injurious to vegetation ; but the extent and 

 significance of these effects, and tlieir bearing on practical agi-iculture, is little un- 

 derstood. Moreover, gi-eat difference of opinion exists, particularly among farmers, 

 as to whether certain well-known species are, on the whole, beneficial or injurious ; 

 and many kinds wliich are really of great practical value are killed whenever op- 

 portunity offers. For example, hawks and owls are almost universally regarded as 

 detrimental, while as a matter of fact most of them never touch poultry, but feed 

 largely, and some almost exclusively, on mice and grasshoppers. 



The wholesale slaughter of small bh-ds has been known to be followed by Serious 

 increase of noxious msects ; and invasions of insects wliieh threatened to devastate 

 large tracts of country have been cut nearly short by the timely services of some of 

 our native birds. 



In view of tlie above facts, and many others which might be cited, it is clear that 

 a comprehensive, systematic investigation of the interrelation of birds and agri- 

 culture will prove of enormous value to farmers and horticulturists. Such an inves- 

 tigation has been undertaken by the newly established Division of Economic Orni- 

 thology of the Department of Agriculture, and the assistance and co-operation of 

 persons interested are earnestly sohcited. 



The food of all birds consists either of animal matter or vegetable matter, or both, 

 and its consumption must be serviceable oi- prejudicial to the interests of mankmd. 

 Therefore, according to the food they eat, all birds may be classed under one of two 

 headings— beneficial or injurious. Many species are both beneficial and injurious, 

 and it is impossible to assign them to either category until the percentages of their 

 food-elements have been positively determined and the sum of the good balanced 

 against the sum of the evil. 



In a very large proportion of our small birds the food varies considerably with the 

 season, sometimes changing from vegetable to animal, or from injurious to benefi- 

 cial. Furthermore, many birds feed their young upon substances which the adults 

 rarely or never eat; and the young on leaving the nest sometimes greedily devour 

 things which are discarded as they grow older. Hence it becomes "necessary to as- 

 certain the food of each species at different times of the year and at different ages. 



Information is desired on all questions relating to this inquiry, and special atten- 

 tion is invited to the following: 



1. Has the common Crow been observed to catch young chickens or to stea' eggs? 



2. Has it been observed to eat corn or other cereals in the field? If so, how long 

 after planting, and how extensive was the injury done? 



3. Has the Crow been observed to feed upon injurious insects? If so, what kinds 

 of insects were thus destroyed, and to what extent? 



4. Has the Crow-Blackbird or Grakle been observed to carry off the young of the 

 Robin or of other small birds, or to destroy their eggs? 



5. "When breeding near the liouse, has it been observed to drive off small birds, 

 such as Eobins, Bluebirds, &c., which had previously made theii- abode on the prem- 

 ises? 



6. Has it been observed to eat corn or other cereals in the field? If so, how long 

 after planting, and how extensive was the injury done? 



7. Has the Crow-Blackbird been observed to feed upon injurious insects? If so, 

 what kinds of insecis were thus destroyed, and to what extent? 



_ 8. Wliat bu-ds have been observed to feed upon or otherwise injure buds or fol- 

 iage, and what plants or trees have been so injured ? 



9. What birds have been observed to feed extensively upon fruit? What kind or 

 kni(ls of iruit liave been most injured by each species, and how extensive have been 

 the losses thus occasioned? 



10. The Bobohnk (Rico-bird or May-bmJ of the Southern States) conf,re.ates in 

 vast flocks during its migrations and commits extensive depredations in certain 

 parts of tlie South. The division will be glad to receive detailed accounts of these 



