54 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



president of the State Agricultural College, or by the sec- 

 retary of the State Board of Agriculture. In that way you 

 could select people who would not abuse the rights granted 

 them. In that way you would perhaps stimulate an interest 

 in ornithology which might otherwise be suppressed. Some of 

 you may have boys who take an interest in ornithology, and 

 have no inclination to work in any other direction. Now, if 

 a boy is inclined to work in ornithology or any other branch 

 of natural history, is a careful boy, and will spend his time 

 in the study of the birds of his particular region, it is a 

 shame to stop that boy, and not allow him to investigate. 

 He may become an eminent naturalist. Therefore, I think 

 that I would change the law so that there will not be so 

 much difficulty in obtaining permits. Of course I person- 

 ally know nothing about this trouble which naturalists have ; 

 I only get it second-hand. 



Mr. Bancroft of Chesterfield. We have certainly had 

 an exceedingly interesting and instructive address this after- 

 noon, and I wish to move that this I^oard extend a cordial 

 vote of thanks to Dr. Warren. 



The motion was seconded by Mr. Everett, and unani- 

 mously carried. 



Mr. Kingsbury of Spencer. I would like to inquire of 

 the doctor what would be the result if the English sparrows 

 ate grain that was soaked in a strong solution of salt and 

 water? Would it injure them, or not? 



Dr. Warren. I do not know that any experiments have 

 been made in that line. I cannot answer that question. 



Mr. Kingsbury. I have seen it recommended as a 

 method of destroying the English sparrow. I know that 

 some birds will be destroyed by eating salt. 



Dr. Warren. I do not know. It is said the mocking- 

 bird will be destroyed by eating salt ; but I know a gentle- 

 man who fed a mocking-bird with food heavily salted, and it 

 did not affect the bird. But how salt would affect the 

 English sparrow, I am unable to say. 



Mr. J. D. Eaton. Will the gentleman give the peculiar- 

 ities of the snowy owl, which is one of the largest species? 



Dr. Warren. The snowy owl is a resident of the arctic 

 regions. This bird differs from most owls, in the fact that 



