ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1874. 



55 



made upon the animal and vegetable productions of the state, with 

 reference to its agricultural interests. This duty has been assigned 

 to Mr. F. H. King, under the direction of Prof. T. C. Chamberlin, 

 one of the assistants in the survey. Though this work is incomplete, 

 it is deemed best to present herewith, for preservation and future u&e 

 the two reports now prepared by Mr. King, which will be found to 

 contain brief notes of very numerous and important observations 

 made by him during the years 1873 and 1874, relating to the birds 

 and to the Lepidopterous insects of the state. 



The notes upon the birds relate chieily to their food, as ascertained 

 by an examination of the contents of the stomach of the several spe- 

 cies ; this becomes important by showing whether they destroy our 

 insect enemies or friends. It is only by such observations, made by 

 persons who find pleasure in the pursuit, and who are to be relied 

 upon for care and accuracy, that the truths of natural history can be 

 ascertained and recorded. One hundred and two species of Wiscon- 

 sin birds are mentioned, and facts of greater or less importance are 

 recorded in regard to them. Fifty-four species of insects, injurious 

 to one hundred and twenty-six species of plants, and seven species 

 whose habits are such as to be deemed beneficial, are included in this 

 report. 



Mr. King's notes are to be preserved for use in making up a more 

 general and complete work upon the animal and vegetable produc- 

 tions of the state, which will embrace also such further observations 

 as may hereafter be made during the continuance of the surve3^ 



Me. Moses Steong's Paett. — -As early in the season of 1874 as 

 the weather became suitable for active operations in the field, Mr. 

 Strong, with the aid of Mr. George Haven as an assistant, and John 

 Cain as teamster, resumed the work of surveying those portions of the 

 lead region not covered by him in 1873. The preceding winter bad 

 been spent in preparing plats and collecting such information of the 

 country to be examined, as would facilitate the field-work of the sea- 

 son. The southern and eastern portions of the lead region were first 

 surveyed, including the whole of Green county; and, after completing 

 a few townships in the northeastern part of Iowa county, he proceed- 

 ed in August to carry out that portion of his instructions that con- 

 templated the extension of his survey northward, through Richland, 

 Yernon and Monroe counties to the southern limits of the Archseaai 

 rocks in Jackson county. The northern portion of the lead region, 

 and the much broken district extending from the great east and west 

 watershed to the Wisconsin river, were next examined in detail. 



