LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Biological Survey, 



Washington, B.C., February 25, 1910. 

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

 Bulletin No. 34 of the Biological Survey, Part II of the Birds of Cali- 

 fornia in Relation to the Fruit Industry, by Prof. F. E. L. Beal. 

 This, the final part of the report, treats of some of the most important 

 California birds from the standpoint of the orchardist and the farmer. 

 Careful study of the food habits of birds that frequent orchards and 

 their vicinity shows that most of the species are beneficial, and that 

 without their aid the difficulty and expense of raising fruit would be 

 enormously increased; still a few species under certain circumstances 

 are harmful and need to be held in check. 

 Respectfully, 



C. Hart Merriam, 



Chief, Biological Survey. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



