ble will appear from the large exhibit of this firm in another part of the Exposition. Exhibit XXI.-We come now to the last exhibit, which, although not strictly to be classified with forestry as an art or science, yet is a product unique, peculiar to the North American forest: A frame artistically arranged, showing some of the autumn tints which grace the North American landscape in unrivaled beauty and splendor. While it is impossible to preserve the richness and variety of color which is exhibited in the leaves as they are turned into all imaginable hues at the approach of winter, yet a faint conception will be possible from our small design of leaves encircling a photograph of the building of the United States Department of Agriculture at Washington. CHAPTER XXX. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY AND MAMMALOGY. By C. HART MERRIAM, The scope of the work of this division, as defined by act of Congress, is: "The promotion of economic ornithology and mammalogy; an investigation of food, habits, distribution, and migrations of North American birds and mammals, in relation to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry." The function of the division, then, consists in the collection of facts relating to the above subjects and the arrangement of these facts into special reports and bulletins. The present report consists merely of a few tabulated results of special investigations upon the economic status of the house or English sparrow (Passer domesticus), common crow (Corvus americanus), fish crow (Corvus ossifragus), and red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis). Except in the case of the English sparrow it relates exclusively to food, as determined by critical examination of stomach contents. This report is accompanied by colored maps showing the distribution of several species of mammals and birds of special economic importance. Table showing approximately the extension in square miles, in the United States, of the English sparrow, in periods of five years each, from 1870 till 1885, and its extension during the year 1886. This table of necessity is largely theoretical, though the ratio of increase must be very nearly correct. Year by year much of the reproductive energy of the sparrow is expended in filling up the smaller towns and villages of the area, which, so far as the larger towns and cities are concerned, it covered some time previously. Table showing the annual increase and total number of English sparrows, the progeny of a single pair, in successive seasons for ten years, assuming that all lived. Years. Number of pairs Number of pairs Total number Total number 1 2 of young. of pairs. of birds. 26 338 342,732 4,455,516 57,921,708 754, 982, 204 9,788,768,652 127, 253, 992, 476 28,561 371,293 4,826, 809 62,748, 517 815,730, 721 10, 604, 499, 373 137,858, 491, 849 4,394 57, 122 742,586 9,653, 618 125, 497, 034 1,631, 461, 442 21, 208, 998, 746 275,716,983, 698 Stomach contents of adult crows (Corvus americanus) taken near Washington, District of Columbia, in winter. Nature of contents. Acorns, corn, etc.; seaweed; sumach seeds (Rhus glabra); pieces of insects. 10 Corn; seeds of grape, sumach (Rhus glabra), and of poison sumach and poison ivy. Percentages of elements. No. Date. Animal. Veg'ble Mineral. 19 90 75 24 85 14 94 5 Acorns, etc.; corn hulls; seeds of poison ivy and poison sumach; bits of insects. Corn; seeds of Rhus glabra, and of poison ivy and poison sumach; few insect remains. Kernels of corn; seeds of grape, of Rhus glabra, and of poison sumach and poison ivy; unknown seeds; bits of insects. Kernels of corn; seeds of poison sumach; insect remains. Wheat or corn; sumach seed (Rhus glabra); seaweeds; bits of mussels, small crustaceans, and insects. Corn and corn hulls; seeds of sumach, Rhus glabra and R. typhina (?); remains of crayfish or crab; small fish bones; remains of insects. Stomach contents of adult crows (Corvus americanus) taken in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, in winter. Stomach contents of adult crows (Corvus americanus) taken in the State of New York, in summer. 10 Insects; bones of small frog. 2 0010 Insects, mostly beetles; small bits of acorns; 2 or 3 fish bones; bits of snail shell. Bones of frog; many bits of insects. Pieces of small insects; corn hulls. Insect larvæ; insects; bits of bark. Crab's leg; small fish bones; bits of insects; sea- Grain; berry seeds; insect larvæ; fish bones. Unknown seeds and berries; bits of insects. 0 Raspberries; strawberry seeds (?); bit of insect. Stomach contents of adult fish crows (Corvus ossifragus) taken near Washington, District of Columbia. Table showing contents of 348 stomachs of the red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis) arranged by months. mens. or game birds. |