LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Biological Survey, . 

 Washington, D. C, June 22, 1910. 

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

 Bulletin No. 35 of the Biological Survey, a report on the Distribution 

 and Migration of North American Shorebirds, by Wells W. Cooke, 

 assistant, Biological Survey. Many species of shorebirds inhabit the 

 United States or pass through our territory in migration. These 

 birds possess considerable economic importance, and as other wild 

 game like ducks, geese, and swans diminish in numbers their value 

 for food and as a means for sport will increase. Large numbers are 

 annually killed, and unless prompt measures are taken adequately 

 to protect them some of the larger and more important kinds are 

 likely to become extinct, especially in the region east of the Missis- 

 sippi River. A knowledge of the summer and winter abodes of the 

 several species and of the routes they take in migration is essential to 

 intelligent legislation in their behalf, and, accordingly, all the known 

 facts in regard to this part of their life history are here brought 

 together. 



Respectfully, H. W. Henshaw, 



Chief, Biological Survey. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 

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