The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Biological Survey, Bureau of

BIOLOGICAL SURVEY, Bureau of. A Bureau of the Department of Agriculture. The bureau has charge of game preservation and protection and the importation of foreign birds and animals, studies the economic relations of birds and mammals to agriculture and investigates the geographic distribution of animals and plants with reference to the determination of the life and crop belts of the country. The bureau has also made a particular study of noxious mammals and birds with the object of exterminating them if necessary. It co-operates with the State fish and game commissions and other departments regarding the interstate commerce in game and plumage for the encouragement of game-farmers. See Agriculture, Department of.