FOUR COMMON SEED-DESTROYING SPARROWS. 1, Junco; 2, White-throated Sparrow; 3, Fox Sparrow; 4, Tree Sparrow. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY THE RELATION OF SPARROWS TO AGRICULTURE BY SYLVESTER D. JUDD, Ph. D. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY, Washington, D. C., July 3, 1901. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith for publication as Bulletin No. 15 of the Biological Survey a report on "The Relation of Sparrows to Agriculture," by Dr. 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 observations 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, Hon. JAMES WILSON, Secretary of Agriculture. Chief, Biological Survey. |