[Division of Ornitiiofooy and 
Majimalogy, Circular No. 1.] 
U. S. DEPAETMENT OP AGEICULTIIEE, 
DIVISION OF ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY AND MAMMALOGY. 
CIRCULAR ON THE FOOD-HABITS OF BIRDS. 
It is well known that certain birds are directly destructive to farm 
crops, causing a loss of many thousands of dollars each year, and that 
others are highly beneficial, preying upon mice and insects which are in- 
jurious to vegetation, but the extent and significance of these effects, and 
their bearing on j^i’actical agriculture is little understood. Moreover, 
great difference of opinion exists, particularly among farmers, as to 
whether certain well-known species are on the whole beneficial or injur- 
ious ; and many kinds which are really of great practical value are killed 
whenever opportunity offers. P'or example, hawks and owls are almost 
universally regarded as detrimental, while as a matter of fact most of them 
never touch poultry but feed largely, and some almost exclusively, on mice 
and grasshoppers. 
The wholesale slaughter of small birds has been known to be followed 
by serious increase of noxious insects; and invasions of insects which 
tlireatened to devastate large tracts of country have been cut neaiT}^ short 
by the timely services of some of our native birds. 
In view of the a1)ove facts, and many others which might be cited, it 
is clear that a comprehensive, systematic investigation of the inter-relation 
of birds and agriculture will jirove of enormous value to farmers and lior- 
ticulturists. Such an investigation has been undertaken by the newly-es- 
tablished Division of Economic Ornithology of the Dcpai’tment of Agricul- 
tui’e, and the assistance and co-operation of jicrsons interested are earnestly 
solicted. 
