evening tfce birds passed over in a long line toward the east to sons 
roost in tbs swamps* This flight continued for nearly too hours and 
wMt nj r times their line stretched without a perceptible break: as far as 
I could see in either direction* 
The bulk of then* birds had been driven in here within the fast 
week by storms in the north* The damage accomplished will be distri- 
buted more than last ye ar beouuae of the large screaks of rice still 
out but will be evident never the less* These horde* of blackbirds 
when everything is considered, are the most serious avian pest with 
which the rice grower has to deal* 
Recommendations* 
The Investigation in hand revealed that although no heavy dam- 
age had resulted as yet, still the condition was serious &s the northern 
. 
> t A 
flight of duoice had arrived and the birds were working in the rice fields 
At it was the hunting: souson the bulk of the birds remained in the swamps 
during the day and came into toe fluids to fasd during the night* After 
» 
due cons ^deration of the matter and discussion with rice men it >as re- 
commended therefore that rice growers and their agents be permitted to 
ehoot wild duoka at night until and including December 31, 1918* It was 
considered that there was little hope of saving rice remaining In the 
field after that date but that with more favorable weather the crop 
could be harvested during December* 
in accordance with this recommendation the following blanket 
permission was issued* t 
