102 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



thirty being brought in badly emaciated with jaws shut fast. No other 

 variety of birds seemed to be so afflicted. 



This year but two birds were found suffering from the European blowfiy, 

 — a Song Sparrow and a Red-eyed Vireo; the tumors developed more 

 slowly in captivity than when the birds were in a wild state. 



During the summer many visitors saw our birds, and several schools 

 came. Children often came to get help for sick Pigeons, Parrots and pet 

 Canaries. Seventj' dollars have been contributed toward the support of 

 the birds. As a result of the interest the press has taken in our work, 

 several retired physicians in the west have written us in regard to estab- 

 lishing bird hospitals. 



Our school children have worked hard to get insect food for the birds. 

 We have spent on the average two hours daily since April 19 to catch 

 fish for our Heron. This service has been done most willingly. Several 

 zoological societies have asked for some of the birds to exliibit, but the 

 boys and girls love them too well to part with even one invahd. Feed 

 boxes are ready for the use of winter birds. Money is being raised to buy 

 a lantern for lecture purposes, the lecture to be entitled "Hospital Work 

 for the Birds." 



Bird Days. 



As usual the Division co-operated with the bird committee 

 of the State Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, in bird day exer- 

 cises. The director was present and spoke at the exercises at 

 Charlemont May 22, which were attended by many people 

 from all the near-by country. This committee of the State 

 Grange is doing an excellent educational work, among the 

 rural population, which deserves every encouragement. 



Bird Migration observed during the Year. 



The study of the distribution and migration of Massachusetts 

 birds in New England has been continued. Nearly four hun- 

 dred observers have contributed notes on birds seen through 

 the year. Some send in notes occasionally, some once or twice 

 a month, and others more often. These reports have been 

 filed, and the notes on migration and distribution have been 

 entered on maps kept for each species. Valuable records have 

 been noted and recorded. Notes on food and habits have 

 been kept. A general summary, or bulletin of information 

 giving a resume of the movements of birds, has been sent out 

 at the close of each month to these correspondents, and on 

 the 15th notes have been sent to each giving warning of un- 



