102 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



27. Q. Is a wind break of either trees or buildings of any advantage? 

 A. I have no doubt that such a wind break would be of advantage on 

 the north side, but not too near, and framed in such a way as to keep out 

 the northeast, north and northwest winds. Whenever martins die of cold 

 storms those in the rooms on the north side of the house die first. 



28. Q. Are martins subject to the attacks of insect vermin of any kind, and 

 if so, what is the best preventive^ A. Yes, they are subject to the attacks 

 of parasites, which sometimes swarm. Powdered sulphur or fresh dal- 

 matian or pyrethrum powder used in the rooms will kill such insects. 



29. Q. Are martins attacked by hawks, owls or other birds of prey? A. 

 Martins rarely are attacked by hawks, and I think not much by owls, 

 provided the entrance holes are not over 2 inches in diameter. I am not 

 sure how small a hole screech owls can gef into ; they sometimes reach in 

 and pull out young birds. A colony of martins will drive off hawks. 



30. Q. What is the best manner of protecting the house from cats, squirrels, 

 etc.? A. A smooth band of zinc at least 3 feet wide, tacked on very care- 

 fully, well up on the pole, probably will answer the requirements. 



31. (This question did not refer to martins.) 



32. Q. Do you think of any other desirable features to embody in the con" 

 struction of a martin house, not included in these questions? If so, please 

 give it. A. If a door could be made to open from each compartment it 

 would be an advantage in cleaning out the house. 



The Distribution of Birds. 

 The State Ornithologist is required by law to investigate the 

 distribution of the birds of the State. During the last five 

 years this line of investigation has been followed, and many 

 notes have been made, with the object of publishing a full list 

 of the birds of the Commonwealth and of mapping their dis- 

 tribution as accurately as possible. The office will welcome 

 any information on this subject, particularly during the breed- 

 ing season. It will take some years more and much voluntary 

 assistance to get together material for a full and authoritative 

 paper. 



Benefits conferred by Birds. 

 Robin. 

 In 1914, on a portion of three sections of a cranberry bog on 

 my place at Wareham, nearly every plant was killed by the 

 white grub of a May beetle (Lachnosterna) which destroyed all 

 the roots. As this insect, which remains for several years in 

 the soil, is diflficult to control on a cranberry bog, it was con- 



