INDEX TO PAPERS RELATING TO THE FOOD OF BIRDS BY 

 MEMBERS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY IN PUBLICATIONS 

 OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 

 1885-1911. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The object of this bulletin is to furnish an index to papers by 

 members of the Biological Survey in the various publications of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture up to and including De- 

 cember. 1911, which contain information on the economic status of 

 birds as determined by their food habits. Statements concerning the 

 value of feathers, flesh, eggs, guano, or the use of birds as game are 

 not taken into account, but only notes on bird food or inferences 

 drawn from a consideration of food with definite reference to some 

 species of bird. 



The publications indexed are the Bulletins, Circulars, and North 

 American Faunas, published by the Biological Survey, the Annual 

 Eeports of its Chief, and the Farmers' Bulletins and Yearbooks, pub- 

 lications of the Department of Agriculture as a whole. 



In the 26| years of its existence, from July 1, 1885, to December 31, 

 1911, members of the Biological Survey have prepared 131 documents 

 relating wholly or in part to the food of birds. These publications 

 contain notes on the economic status of no fewer than 401 species of 

 native birds and 59 species of foreign or introduced birds. (See 

 table.) In the case of 173 species of native birds and one introduced 

 bird, reports embodying a resume of printed and communicated testi- 

 mony concerning the food, together with detailed analyses of stomach 

 contents, have been published. These are the most important state- 

 ments of the economic value of our birds. 



