ETTHR OF TRANSMITTAL 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
Division of Biological Survey, 
Washington, I). C, July 3, 1901. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewithfor publication as Bulle- 
tin No. 15 of the Biological Survey a report on " The Relation <»f Spar- 
rows 1<> Agriculture," by \>r. 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 
any degree of accuracy. This report, based on extended field obser- 
vations and an examination of 4,273 stomachs of sparrows, brings out 
clearly the extent to which several native species feed on seeds of 
noxious weeds, and shows the value of these birds as weed destroyers. 
Respectfully, 
C. Hart Merriam, 
Chief, Biological Survey. 
Hon. James Wilson, 
Sk crt tary of Agriculture, 
'2 
