REPORT OF THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND MAMMALOGIST. ' 231 



depredations from persons living in the affected districts, to whom a special circular 

 will be sent on application. 



11. What birds are considered to be injurious to grain crops, and what kinds are 

 ref^arded as oeneficial? On what facts are these opinions based? 



12. What bii-ds have been observed to feed upon injurious insects, and upon what 

 kind or kinds does each bhd feed? 



13. Do Blackbirds (other than the Crow-blackbird akeady mentioned) commit 

 serious depredations in your vicinity? If so, which of the several species of Black- 

 birds are concerned, and what crops are affected? 



14. Has any kind of bird been observed to feed upon the honey-bee? If so, what 

 species, and how extensive has been the injury done? 



When possible, tiie exact date should be given of aU occurrences reported. 



Persons ^viUiag to aid in the collection of birds' stomachs will be furnished with 

 the necessary blanks and instructions. 



Special circulars on the English Sparrow and on the economic relations of mam- 

 mals will be furnished on application. 



[Circular No. 2.] 

 CIRCULAR ON THE ENGLISH SPARROW, 



{Passer domesticus.) 



The Department of Agriculture desires facts, from personal observation, in answer 

 to the following questions concerning the European House Sparrow, commonly 

 called "English Sparrow" in tliis country. 



I. Is your locahty oity, suburb, or country? 



II. Is the English Sparrow present in your vicinity? If not, what is the nearest 

 point at which you know it to occur? If present, when did it first appear? 



III. Is it abundant and on the increase? 



IV. Is it protected by law? 



V. Is it artificially housed and fed? 



VI. How many broods and young does a single pan- rear in a season? 



VII. Do any of our non-predatory birds habitually resist encroachments of, or at- 

 tempt to drive off, the EngUsh Sparrow unless themselves first attacked, and with 

 what success? 



VIII. Which of our native birds attempt to reclaim former nesting sites when 

 these are occupied by the Sparrows ? State examples. 



IX. Has the English Sparrow been observed to molest or drive off any of our 

 native birds? If so, what species are so molested or expelled from their former 

 haunts ? 



X. Does it injure shade, fruit, or ornamental trees or vines? 



XI. Does it injure garden fruits and vegetables? 



XII. Does it injure grain crops ? 



XIII. Has any case in which it has been of marked benefit to the farmer or hor- 

 ticulturist come under your notice? If so, in what way has the benefit been de- 

 rived? 



XIV. Under what circumstances does it feed upon insects? What kinds of in- 

 jurious or beneficial insects or their larvae does it destroy, and to what extent? 



XV. What means, if any, have been taken to restrict the increase of the English 

 Sparrow? 



XVI. What is the prevailuig public sentiment in respect to the bird ? 

 Information is particularly desired concerning the presence of the English Spar- 

 row in the Southern States and in the region west of the Mississippi. 



[Circular No. 3.] 

 CIRCULAR ON THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF MAMMALS. 



The Department of Agriculture desires information concerning the effects of mam- 

 mals upon agriculture, and solicits replies to the following questions: 



