ORNITH 
PVE RITES 
if gf / fa 
M1 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 
U.S. DepaRTMENT oF AGRICULTURE, 
Bureau or Brotogican Survey, 
Washington, D. C., November 1, 1907. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for publication as 
Bulletin No. 32 of the Biological Survey a report on the food habits 
of the grosbeaks, by W. L. McAtee. The grosbeaks are a small group 
of finches, hitherto more widely appreciated for their bright plum- 
age, sweet song, and attractiveness as cage birds than for their serv- 
ices to agriculture. These are here shown to be of such character 
as to entitle the several members of the group to every consideration 
at the hands of the farmer. 
The illustrations which accompany this paper are considered essen- 
tial to a proper understanding of the text. 
Respectfully, A. W. Hensuaw, 
ilcting Chief Biological Survey. 
Hon. James Wixson, 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
2 
