252 REPOKT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



In order to secure better results, a portion of the territory under investigation has 

 been divided into districts, each of which lias lieen placed under the immediate 

 direction of a competent superintendent. Observers not living within the limits of 

 these several districts are requested to communicate with the Ornithologist of the 

 Department of xigriculture. 



The districts, with their respective superintendents, are: 



New England. — Superintendent, John H. Sage, Portland, Conn. 



Atlantic district. — New York (except Long Island), Pennsylvania, New Jersey, 

 Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 

 Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Sup- 

 erintendent, Dr. A. K. Fisher, Department of Agriculture, VVashington, D. C. 



Long Island, N. Y. — Superintendent, William Dutcher, 51 Liberty street, New 

 York City. 



Indiana and Southern Michigan. — Superintendent, B. W. Evermann, Terra Haute, 

 Ind. 



Ohio. — Superintendent, Dr. F. W. Langdon, 65 West Seventh street, Cincinnati, 

 Ohio. 



Light-house division of North America. — Superintendent, Dr. C. Hart Merriam, 

 Department of Agi-iculture, Washington, D. C. 



Light-house division of Spanish America. — Superintendent, L. S. Foster, 35 Pine 

 street. New York City. 



Schedules on wliicli to record the more prominent facts relatu)g to bird migration 

 will be furnished on application. 



The material collected in reply to this circular will be published in 

 special Inilletins. 



Prof. W. W. Cooke, assisted by Mr. Otto Widmann and Prof. D. E. 

 Lantz, has prepared a report on bird migration in the Mississippi Val- 

 ley. This report, which I regard as the most important contribution 

 yet made to the subject of bird migration, will appear as a special 

 bulletin of the division. 



Mr. L. Belding, of Stockton, Cal., has prepared a report on the 

 ornithology of the Pacific coast region of the United States, with 

 special reference to its economic aspects. This report will be issued 

 as soon as practicable. 



EFFECTS OP MAMMALS UPON AGRICULTURE. 



The influence of small mammals upon agriculture, horticulture, 

 and forestry is a matter of great practical interest, and one upon 

 which much has been written, particularly in Europe, where a knowl- 

 edge of the subject is a qualification of admission to the government 

 position of forester. 



Our native mammals affect the interests of mankind, directly or 

 indirectly, in a variety of ways. Some are clearly beneficial; others 

 are so markedly injurious, that the question becomes one merely of 

 the best means of keeping them in check; Avhile many kinds are both 

 beneficial and injurious, and careful study of their habits is necessary 

 to ascertain whether the sum of their beneficial qualities exceeds the 

 sum of the prejudicial, or the contrary. 



. It is impossible to estimate in dollars and cents the damage done 

 by the commoner species, particularly by Mice and Gophers, but in 

 the aggregate it must amount to several millions of dollars per 

 annum. From the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Mexican 

 border to Canada innumerable hordes of Mice are constantly preying 

 upon the results of man's toil. They gnaw his buildings, deplete his 

 granaries, make their homes in his barns and hay-mows, and even 

 infest his private dwellings to share the dainties of the pantry. In 

 the meadow and pasture they feed upon the roots of the best grasses; 

 in the garden, upon the roots, fruit, and seed of vegetables; and in the 

 fields, upon grain, both standing and in the shock. In winter they 



