U.S. Department of Agriculture
Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy.

Washington, D.C. Oct. 28, 1886

Dr. C.B. McQuesten,
Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Dear Sir:

Your letter of the 8th instant, enclosing the English Sparrow schedule, and replies to circulars on the food-habits of birds and the economic relations of mammals, has been received.

Please accept our thanks for the information you send. We shall be glad to hear from you again.

Respectfully,
Walter B. Barrows, [Signature]
Acting Ornithologist.

[First Pamphlet]
(Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, Circular No. 2)

The Department of Agriculture desires facts, from personal observation, in answer to the following questions concerning the European House Sparrow, commonly called 'English Sparrow' in this country.
I. Is your locality city, suburb, or country?
II. Is the English Sparrow present in your vicinity? If not, what is the nearest point at which you know it to occur? If present, when did it first appear?
III. Is it abundant and on the increase?
IV. Is it protected by law?
V. Is it artificially housed and fed?
VI. How many broods and young does a single pair rear in a season?
VII. Do any of our non-predatory birds habitually resist encroachments of, or attempt to drive off the English Sparrow unless themselves first attacked, and with what success?
VIII. Which of our native birds attempt to reclaim former nesting sites when these are occupied by the Sparrows? State examples.
IX. Has the English Sparrow been observed to molest or drive off any of our native birds? If so, what species are so molested or expelled from their former haunts?
X. Does it injure shade, fruit or ornamented trees or vines?
XI. Does it injure garden fruits and vegetables?
XII. Does it injure grain crops?
XIII. Has any case in which it has been of marked benefit to the farmer or horticulturist come under your notice? If so, in what way has the benefit been derived?
XIV. Under what circumstances does it feed upon insects? What kinds of injurious or beneficial insects or their larvae does it destroy, and to what extent?
XV. What means if any have been taken to restrict the increase of the English Sparrow?
XVI. What is the prevailing public sentiment in respect to the bird?
Information is particularly desired concerning the presence of the English Sparrow in the Southern states and in the region West of the Mississippi.
Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Ornithologist
Washington D.C. July 20, 1886.

[Second Pamphlet]
(Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, Circular No. 3.)

The Department of agriculture desires information concerning the effects of mammals upon agriculture, and solicits replies to the following questions:-

In the Mississippi Valley, and the region between it and the Pacific, numerous small rodents called Gophers do great damage to farms and crops. There are two principle kinds. Packet Gophers which live mostly under ground and are characterized by external cheek-pouches and unusually large fore-claws ([?] & [?]): and Gophers or Ground Squirrels which live mostly above ground and have neither external cheek-pouches nor claws of unusual size (Spermophilus and Tamias). Of these, the common little Striped Gopher (Spermophilus tridecemtineatus) and the large gray Line tailed Spermophile (Spermophilus grammurus) and its varieties are the most abundant and widely distributed and occasion the greatest losses to grain crops. Numerous other species, more or less local, affect the farmer's interests very appreciably.

Detailed information is desired concerning the habits and ravages of all these Gophers. Such information should be accompanied by a specimen (a rough skin will suffice) for positive identification.

The above remarks apply with equal force to the various small mammals known as Kangaroo Rats and Mice, Pocket Rats and Mice, Wood Rats and Mice, etc.

In answering this circular, please mention your occupation. If a farmer, state the size and character of your farm, and mention the principle crops which you cultivate.

Write your name and post-office address as plainly as possible.
Address all communications to:
Dr. C. Hart Merriam.
Chief of Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy.
Washington, D.C., July 27, 1886.

[Third Pamphlet]
(Division of Ornithology and Mammology, Circular No. 1.)

It is well known that certain birds are directly destructive to farm crops, causing a loss of many thousands of dollars each year, and that others are highly beneficial, preying upon mice and insects which are injurious to vegetation, but the extent and significance of these effects, and their bearing on practical agriculture is little understood. Moreover, great difference of opinion exists, particularly among farmers, as to whether certain well-know species are on the whole beneficial or injurious; and many kinds which are really of great practical value are killed whenever opportunity offers. For example, hawks and owls are almost universally regarded as detrimental, while as a matter of fact most of them never touch poultry but feed largely, and some almost exclusively, on mice and grasshoppers.

The wholesale slaughter of small birds has been know to be followed by serious increase of noxious insects; and invasions of insects which threaten to devastate large tracts of country have been cut nearly short by the timely services of some of our native birds.

In view of the above facts, and many others which might be cited, it is clear that a comprehensive systematic investigation of the inter-relation of birds and agriculture will prove of enormous value to farmers and horticulturists. Such an investigation has been undertaken by the newly-established Division of Economic Ornithology of the Department of Agriculture, and the assistance and co-operation of persons interested are earnestly solicited.

The food of all birds consists either of animal matter or vegetable matter or both, and its consumption must be serviceable or prejudicial to the 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 impossible to assign them to either category 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 very large proportion of our small birds and the food varies considerably with the season, sometimes changing from vegetable to animal, or from injurious to beneficial. 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, what 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 the house, has it been observed to drive off small birds (such as Robins, Bluebirds, etc.) which had previously 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 insects? 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) congregates in vast flocks during its migrations and commits extensive depredations 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 will 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 are these opinions based?
12. What birds have been observed to feed upon injurious insects, and upon what kind or kinds does each bird feed?
13. Do Blackbirds (other than the Crow Blackbird already mentioned) commit serious depredations in your vicinity? If so, which of the several species of blackbirds are concerned, and what crops are affected?
14. Has any kind of bird been observed to feed upon the honey-bee? If so, what species, and how extensive has been the injury done?

When possible, the exact date should be given of all occurrences reported.

Persons willing to aid in the collection of birds' stomachs will be furnished with the necessary blanks and instructions.

Special circulars on the English Sparrow, and on the economic relations of mammals, will be furnished on application.

Dr. C. Hart Merriam,
Ornithologist.
Washington, D.C., July 20, 1886.