100 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



was adopted immediately and put Into practical operation. It 

 is easy to see the advantage thus to be obtained toward secur- 

 ing adequate records. For example, a rare species migrates 

 into this region in winter. Some of the few observers who are 

 out and about at that time of the year may see it, and two or 

 three may make some permanent record of the fact in some 

 ornithological periodical, but no adequate record of any large, 

 widespread movement of the species into this region is pre- 

 served. If, on the other hand, observers in the north report 

 to a central authority that the species is on the way, and a 

 large number of watchers here are notified to be on the lookout 

 for it, and report, a much more adequate record of the move- 

 ment and of the sojourn of the species while here can be made. 



To facilitate this work and interest our accredited observers, 

 a number of ornithologists to the north and south of Massa- 

 chusetts were enlisted, and all, both here and in other States 

 and provinces, were requested to report on the movements of 

 birds in their regions monthly at least, and oftener if possible. 

 The results of these observations were tabulated by the State 

 Ornithologist, and on the fifteenth day of each month a bulletin 

 containing the principal facts about the movements of species 

 was manifolded on a duplicating machine and sent to each 

 observer. This method has brought out much useful informa- 

 tion regarding distribution and migration. Also many interest- 

 ing facts, some of them new, relating to the habits and food of 

 various species have been obtained by observers, and recorded 

 at the oflBce. 



Already the Massachusetts correspondents are so widely dis- 

 tributed that they cover the greater part of the State, but more 

 are needed on Cape Cod and west of the Connecticut River. 

 The war has interrupted the work in some sections, particu- 

 larly on the Cape, as it has taken some of the most active and 

 interested young men. But when the war is over this condition 

 should be remedied, although a few have gone, never to return. 

 Eventually, and largely as a result of this work, it should be 

 possible for the present incumbent of this office, or his suc- 

 cessor, to present for publication a complete annotated list of 

 the birds of this Commonwealth, giving in full the distribution 

 of each species. 



