No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xxix 



dairying depends much upon this knowledge. It would be 

 unwise for us to advocate ordinary dairying if we find upon 

 investigation that market milk can be produced cheaper in 

 other States which are within hauling distance of our markets. 



The State Ornithologist. 



The State Ornithologist has this year been investigating very 

 thoroughly both the cat and the rat, and while they may recall 

 vividly to us visions of our primer days, they nevertheless have 

 a very decided influence upon our bird life. ]Mr. Forbush's 

 investigations on the rats have been summed up in a bulletin on 

 the subject which is now ready for distribution. This bulletin 

 treats the question from every possible angle, embodying many 

 new ideas, and bringing together more material on the subject 

 than has ever been collected in one publication. 



His investigations in regard to cats are not complete as yet, 

 but data obtained will, no doubt, be of service in determining 

 the econom.ic value of this animal. 



Various other matters connected with bird and animal life 

 have been investigated by Mr. Forbush, and these will be 

 embodied in his report. The sale of the special reports by Mr. 

 Forbush for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 1914, has been as 

 follows: "Useful Birds and their Protection," 594; "Game 

 Birds, Wild. Fowl and Shore Birds," 267. ' 



The State Forester. 



A new commission, created by the last Legislature to buy 

 lands for reforestation, has given the State Forester another 

 duty, as he is a member of this commission. 



The work of suppressing the gypsy and brown-tail moths has 

 gone on as usual. Parasites have been liberated and certainly 

 they have done good work, particularly so the Colosoma beetle, 

 which feeds upon the larvae of the gypsy moth, in particular. 

 This parasite in turn is preyed upon by the skunk, and in some 

 sections where skunks are plentiful, it is much reduced by them. 

 The removal of the broad-leaved trees, which are the common 

 food of most of the forest insects, will greatly reduce the num- 

 ber of these pests simply by reducing their food supply. 



