4 Department Circular 261, U . S. Dept . of Agriculture. 
MARSHLAND. 
There is at present no means of knowing how abundantly birds 
breed in marshland. For this reason it is desirable to have counts 
made on such areas, both of isolated patches and of sections of 
larger tracts. 
SPECIAL AREAS. 
There are many areas, such as city parks, cemeteries, etc., in 
which, because of their proximity to centers of human population, 
it is desirable to have a large number of native birds. To know 
how many nesting birds there are in such places is important. 
Counts in the past have shown that birds respond to protection 
and sometimes nest very abundantly on areas where they are pro¬ 
tected. It will be of much interest to know how densely they will 
nest in such places, and also to have counts made on the adjacent 
territory to see whether there has been any corresponding increase 
there, or whether the birds have concentrated for nesting purposes 
on the smaller area where they recognize the advantages of pro¬ 
tection. 
REPORTS. 
The final results of bird censuses should be sent to the Biological 
Survey as soon as convenient and should be accompanied by a 
statement of the exact boundaries of the area selected for the 
work, so explicitly defined that it will be possible years hence to 
have the count repeated. The name of the present owner should be 
given, together with a careful description of the character of the 
land, including a statement of whether it is dry upland or moist 
bottomland; the number of acres in each of the principal crops, in 
permanent meadow, pasture, orchard, swamps, roads, etc.; the kinds 
of fencing used; and the amount of brush along fences, streams, 
roads, or in permanent pasture. The value and usefulness of a 
report is increased if some information is given regarding the land 
surrounding the tract surveyed, whether this land is wooded, culti¬ 
vated, waste, or pasture, and if cultivated, whether in grain, hay, or 
garden. 
Blanks for recording the results of bird censuses, together with 
return envelopes which require no postage, will be furnished on 
request addressed to the Biological Survey, United States Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 
ADDITIONAL COPIES 
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM 
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GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
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AT 
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PURCHASER AGREES NOT TO RESELL OR DISTRIBUTE THIS 
COPY FOR PROFIT.—PUB. RES. 57, APPROVED MAY 11, 1922 
V 
WASHINGTON *. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1923 
