34 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



Babcock's tests are simple enough, and they are certainly 

 very accurate, and not very expensive. 



Mr. Lynde. Will you tell us about the expense? 



Professor Whitcher. Beimling's costs about $24. 



Mr. Eaton. On this question of milk I am not very 

 clear. Judging from my own experience, I think that Mr. 

 Perry's statements are correct. I have one cow in mind that 

 gave the most milk when she was thirteen years old that she 

 ever did in her life. 



Professor Whitcher. Of course there is no doubt that 

 cows do vary in the quantity of their milk. 



Mr. Sadd. What breed of cows do you call the best? 



Professor Whitcher. That is another dangerous subject. 

 I think I will not answer that question. Not that I am 

 afraid to, at all, but, at the same time, it seems to me it 

 would be as well not to open it. 



Adjourned to 1.30. 



Afternoon Session. 



The meeting was called to order by the chairman, Mr. 

 Hartshorn, at 2 o'clock. 



The Chairman. The lecture this afternoon is on the 

 "Birds of Massachusetts," by Dr. B. H. Warren of West 

 Chester, Penn., State ornithologist of Pennsylvania. 



BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



BY DR. B. II. WARREN, ORNITHOLOGIST PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 

 WEST CHESTER, PENN. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — It gives 

 me great pleasure to be able to address an intelligent body 

 of representative farmers from all portions of this great 

 Commonwealth. It is only within the last few years that 

 the subject of the food of birds has been made a special 

 study by ornithological specialists. In this particular line 

 of investigation the division of ornithology, in charge of 

 Dr. C. Hart Merriam, an indefatigable worker and one of 

 fehe most eminent naturalists in America, has done and is 

 doing a great and valuable work. Dr. Merriam's division, 



