66 Bericht über das permanente internationale ornithologische Comite. 



which an injurious insect will pursue in extending its march 

 from the point where its first devastations are committed, 

 and our Farmers may be forewarned, so that those living 

 in districts likely to become infested can plant different 

 crops and thus be saved large pecuniary loss; while those 

 living just outside will derive increased revenue from the 

 particular crop affected. (The questions having to do with 

 the distribution of species are referred to the Sub-Committee 

 on that subject.) 



The American Ornithologists' Union appeals to your 

 Honarable body to devise a plan and furnish means for 

 the continuance of this investigation, on the ground of 



1. Its International Character. — The Governments 

 of nearly all civilized nations will probably contribute to 

 its Support within their own boundaries, and the work has 

 already been carried on for several .years in Germany, 

 Austro-Hungary, and Great Britain. 



2. Its Scientific Value. — The high scientific value of 

 the work under consideration is too evident to require com- 

 ment. In order to trace with sufficient exactness the various 

 routes foUowed by large masses of migrating birds it is 

 necessary to Station competent trained bird-coUectors, during 

 the continuance of the migratory movement, at certain de- 

 finite points, particularly about the Great Lakes and along 

 the iines of other extensive water courses. While the ex- 

 pense of so doing would not be great, it is, of course, 

 entirely beyond the means of the Committee. 



3. Its Practical Value. — Its has already been shovvn 

 (in the sections treating of Economic Ornithologjr) that the 

 study of the Distribution and Food of birds has such direct 

 bearings upon practical agriculture that its importance can 

 hardly be over estimated. There can be no reasonable doubt 

 that the farmers of the Uniled States would profit to the 

 extent of many thousands of dollars per annum by availing 

 themselves of the results of these inquiries. 



In view of the facts herein briefly outlined, your me- 

 morialists humbly beg to suggest the creation, as a brauch 

 of the Department of Agriculture, of an Ornithological de- 



