Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-05-04
HON. SAM V. WOODS
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS
SECOND WEST VIRGINIA DISTRICT
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1916
Will Count the Birds.

The third annual bird count OF the
United States will be made by the Bureau
of Biological Survey of the U. S. Depart
ment OF Agriculture during the breeding
season in May and June. In making this
survey the Bureau will rely largely on
persons interested in bird life who agree
10 act as volunteer enumerators and count
the different kinds of birds found in a 40
or 80 acre farm or woodland tract near
their homes. The counts thus made by
unpaid observers during the last two
summers have furnished to the Depart
ment valuable data on the character, NUM-
Der, and distribution OF the bird popula-
| ton.
This year the ornithologiSts OF the De-
partment wish particularly TO secure a
large number Of volunteers in the West
to report on the bird life in the plains,
the semi arid regions, the deserts and the
mountains in that part OF the United
States. Especial attention also is to be
given TO securing data as to the birds in
The fruit districts OF the Pacific coast and
in the South Atlantic and Gulf States.
The information collected this year it
is believed will be OF special value in
enabling the Department TO test the effect
OF State and National bird laws and also
in determining what relationship exists
between bird life and the prevalence OF
locuStS, grasshoppers, and other insect
pests in different localities.
As il is impossible to make an actual
count OF all the birds in any extended
district, each enumerator is asked 10 re-
port only upon the number OF birds breed
ing in a selected area OF 40 to so acres in
country or suburban districts. From the
figures thus obtained, those in charge OF
the work are able TO approximate the
total number OF birds OF each kind in dif-
ferent sections Of the country.
Enumerators who wish to report on
birds on farms are asked TO choose an
area which includes farm buildings, shade
trees, orchards, plowed land. pasture or
meadow or swamp, but not very much
woodland. The enumerator begins his
survey at daylight some morning and
zigzags back and forth in the selected
area, counting the male birds. Early in
the morning during the last OF May or
the first week OF June every male bird
should be in full song and therefore easily
counted. The count Of one day is 10 be
verified by observation on several morn
ings.
The height OF the breeding season
should be chosen for this work. In the
latitude OF Washington May 30 is about
the proper date for the count. In the lat
itude of Boston the work should begin a
week later, and south Of Washington
even an earlier date should be selected.
In addition 10 reports on farms and
suburbs, enumeratorS who can do so will
be asked to report on the birds in timber
area of about 40 acres or in an isolated
bit of woodland OF from 10 to % acres.
In the Northeastern States, separate re-
ports on the number OF birds found in
the wilder portions Of the farms, prefer
ably those surveyed in the earlier counts,
are desired.
Those wishing TO take part in the sur
vey can obtain complete instructions by
writing 10 the Bureau Of Biological Sur
vey, U. s. Department OF Agriculture,
Washington, D. c. The work, however,
calls for considerable knowledge OF birds,
and only those who can readily distin-
guish the different kinds should under
take 10 make returns for their localities.