FOOD OF WEST VIRGINIA BIRDS 



Work Done. 



Thus far, in the research work that has been done in West Virginia, 

 comparatively little attention has been given to the birds. Some persons 

 have given much time and many have given a little time to this profitable 

 study. The great naturalists Audubon and Wilson did a little work in 

 the territory that is now included in West Virginia, about one hundred 

 years ago. At a later date, about fifty years ago, such eminent naturalists 

 as W. E. D. Scott, William Brewster, Ruthven Deane, and Ernest E. 

 Ingersoll worked within our State for a very short time, and left us 

 some valuable notes. In more recent years Dr. Wm. C. Rives, Rev. W. E. 

 Hill, Rev. C. Eifrig, Thaddeus Surber, Wm. D. Doan, J. Warren Jacobs, 

 A. Sidney Morgan, Thomas A. Morgan, T. Z. Atkeson, A. B. Brooks, 

 Fred E. Brooks, Garrett Campbell, Charles Handley, Miss Eva Fling, 

 Harold Roush, and E. R. Grose have contributed to our knowledge of 

 bird life. Others, also, have done their part, but there yet remains 

 much to be done. Vast portions of the State have never been visited 

 by any naturalist, and many inviting fields are yet to be visited. Of 

 those who have gathered data concerning West Virginia birds few have 

 studied their food-habits. This is, therefore, a comparatively new sub- 

 ject to be considered. 



The Plan. 



In making the plan for this bulletin the writer has thought it well 

 to study the birds by groups and families. After the three introductory 

 chapters, these various families and groups of birds are taken up in a 

 systematic way. Should any one care to know something of the habits 

 and economic status of the Hawks, Sparrows, Thrushes, or any other 

 group of birds, he has but to turn to the chapter in which these species 

 are discussed. There he will find certain facts for his guidance in the 

 study of these species. Thus the whole economy of our West Virginia 

 bird life may be studied and conclusions may be drawn by those who 

 really care to know how great a part the birds play in the life of those 

 who are interested in the products of our rivers, forests, gardens, orch- 

 ards and grain-fields. 



