LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Biological Survey, 



Washington, D. 0., May 1, 1900. 

 Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith and to recommend for 

 publication, as Bulletin No. 12 of this Division, a report on Legislation 

 for the Protection of Birds other than Game Birds, by my assistant, 

 Dr. T. S. Palmer. This report has been prepared in response to numer- 

 ous inquiries in regard to existing regulations for the protection of 

 birds. Its object is to present in convenient form a review of protec- 

 tive legislation, together with the various State laws now in force. 

 The present widespread interest in birds and the importance of calling 

 attention to existing laws in order to render more effective the efforts 

 now being made to protect birds during the breeding season make it 

 desirable that this report be published and distributed as promptly as 

 possible. 



Respectfully, C. Hart Merriam, 



Chief, Biological Survey. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



