Tlio food ofiill birds consists oitlier of animal matter oi- vegetable 
matter or both, and its consumption must be serviceable or prejudicial to 
tbe interests of mankind. Therefore, according to the food they eat, all 
birds may be classed under one of two headings — beneficial or injurious. 
Many species are both beneficial and injurious, and it is impossil)le to 
assign them to either categoiy until the percentages of their food-elements 
have been positively determined and the sum of the good balanced against 
the sum of the evil. 
In a very large proportion of our small birds the food varies consider- 
ably with the season, sometimes changing from vegetable to animal, or from 
injurious to bemTicial. Furthermore, many birds feed their young upon 
substances which the adults rarely or never eat; and the young on leaving 
the nest sometimes greedily devour things which are discarded as they 
grow older. Hence it becomes necessary to ascertain the food of each 
species at different times of the year, and at different ages. 
Information is desired on all questions relating to this inquiry, and 
special attention is invited to the following : 
1. Has the Common Crow been observed to catch young chickens or 
to steal eggs? 
2. Has it been observed to eat corn or other cereals in the field? If so, 
how long after planting, and how extensive was the injury done? 
3. Has' the Crow been observed to feed upon injurious insects? If so, 
w'hat kinds of insects were thus destroyed, and to what extent? 
4. Has the Crow Blackbird or Grakle been observed to carry off the 
young of the Robin or of other small birds, or to destroy their eggs? 
5. When breeding near tbe house, has it been observed to drive off' 
small birds (such as Robins, Bluebirds, etc.) which had pieviousl}^ made 
their abode on the premises? 
6. Has it been observed to eat corn or other cereals in the field ? If so, 
how long after planting, and how extensive was the injury done? 
7. Has the Crow Blackbird been observed to feed upon injurious in- 
sects ? If so, what kinds of insects were thus destroyed, and to what extent? 
8. What birds have been observed to feed upon or otherwise injure 
buds or foliage, and what plants or trees have been so injured? 
9. What birds have been observed to feed extensively upon fruit? 
What kind or kinds of fruit have been most injured by each species, and 
how extensive have been the losses thus occasioned? 
10. The Bobolink (Ricebird or May -bird of the Southern States) con- 
gregates in vast flocks during its migrations and commits extensive depre- 
dations in certain parts of the South. The Division will be glad to receive 
detailed accounts. of these depredations from persons living in the affected 
districts, to whom a special circular wfill be sent on application. 
11. What birds are considered to be injurious to grain crops, and what 
kinds are regarded as beneficial? On what facts arc these opinions basi'd? 
