LETTER OE TRANSMITTAL 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Biological Survey, 



Washington, D. C, July 3, 1901. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for publication as Bulle- 

 tin No. 15 of the Biological Survey a report on "The Relation of Spar- 

 rows to Agriculture," by Dr. Sylvester D. Judd, assistant in this office. 

 Sparrows are notorious seed eaters, but the precise nature of their 

 food and its effect on agriculture have not hitherto been known with 

 anj^ degree of accuracy. This report, based on extended field obser- 

 vations and an examination of 4,273 stomachs of sparrows, brings out 

 clearlj^ the extent to which several native species feed on seeds of 

 noxious weeds, and shows the value of these birds as Aveed destroyers. 

 Respectfully, 



C. Hart Merriam, 



Chief, Biological Survey, 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



