No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 35 



Fuller of Blackstone, Edwards Thome of Worcester, and Ivan 

 Rawson of Pittsfield, whose services were available throughout 

 the apiary inspection season, with the exception of Mr. Rawson 

 who was called in the draft. 



During the year beekeeping agents were appointed in twenty- 

 five towns in the State. These agents distribute literature in 

 their localities and answer such questions as may be brought to 

 them by local beekeepers who perhaps have not had as much 

 experience as they, and have been of great assistance to the 

 Department. 



Dr. Gates, who has been State Inspector of Apiaries since 

 July 1, 1910, and who has rendered invaluable service to the 

 State, has resigned his ofiice to take a position as professor of 

 beekeeping at the Ontario Agricultural College. It is recom- 

 mended that the work of the apiary inspection service be car- 

 ried on under the direction of the State Nursery Inspector in 

 the future, and that the title of this work be changed to 

 Division of Plant Industry. 



State Ornithologist. 



The State Ornithologist has made an inquiry regarding the 

 present scarcity of game birds, devoting particular attention 

 to the recent decrease of the ruffed grouse and its causes. 



He has organized a corps of observers in Massachusetts and 

 adjacent territory to report upon the distribution and migra- 

 tion of Massachusetts birds. 



A bureau of information has been established by means of 

 which observers are kept informed of expected movements of 

 birds, and warned to be on the lookout to report such move- 

 ments in their territory. 



He has co-operated with the Commissioners on Fisheries and 

 Game in the protection of sea birds breeding along the coast, 

 and in their attempt to increase the numbers of the nearly 

 extinct heath hen. 



He has acted as consulting economic ornithologist to a large 

 and increasing number of citizens through personal attention 

 or by correspondence. 



He has collaborated with the Massachusetts Forestry Associa- 

 tion and the Massachusetts Audubon Society in preparing an 



