•64 Agricultural Gazette of N .S.W . \^Jan. 2, 1920. 



On the general question of prevention of flying, one is often met with the 

 assertion that no wing-cutting will prevent some Leghorns from flying over 

 fences ; but it will generally be found that low or dilapidated fencing with 

 shrubs, trees and other objects near the wire-netting, together with a want of 

 method on the part of the attendant, is responsible for much of this trouble. 

 What is meant by lack of method is this. Starting at this time of the year in 

 particular, pullets coming on to lay will commence to fly about ; the attendant 

 at once becomes annoyed, catches the ofiending bird, cuts or pulls out flight, 

 secondaries, and often the coverets of one or both wings, thinking to make 

 sure that she, at least, will not fly again ; more are caught in the act, and are 

 put through the same process, which becomes interminable. The right thing 

 to do is to shut all the pullets up in their house at night and next day go 

 through the lot and cut the wing in the way described above. 



In regard to pulling the wings, that practice is almost useless because only 

 six weeks is required to grow a new wing, whereas the cutting lasts until 

 the bird has moulted. One wing cut is more effective than two, because the 

 bird then loses her balance. 



Malnutrition in the Hive. 



" I HAVE been trying to find out the cause of brood dying here and there in 

 the cells," wrote a West Tamworth correspondent recently. " The brood 

 dies in various stages up to the time the grub is fully developed but without 

 wings — perfectly sealed up, but with no odour or dead matter. The trouble 

 is not for the want of jJollen or honey." 



''It is an unusual occurrence for larvae to be found dead in the cells as 

 stated," replied the Senior Apiary Inspector. " Similar cases, after a severe 

 abnormal condition, such as drought, have been noticed previously, and 

 microscopical examination has failed to reveal the presence of any organism. 

 It is considered that during such abnormal conditions some of the food 

 gathered by the bees was chemically incomplete, and therefore not sufficient 

 to bring the larvae to maturity. If the case under notice is similar, the 

 colonies will not be affected for anv lensth of time." 



Destroying Starlings with Poisoned Grain. 



The destruction of starlings is a difficult task, and their extermination by 

 means of poisoned fruit — because of the possibility of this being afterwards 

 •consumed by human beings — is attended by some danger. If poisoning is 

 preferred to shooting, an effective method (in fields or the vicinity of stacks) 

 is to attract the birds to a regular place by feeding them for some days with 

 good grain and then setting out poisoned grain. A preparation that has been 

 iTsed with success in South Australia is made by adding a teaspoonful of 

 strychnine and a teaspoonful of washing soda to 3 pints of water, in which a 

 little sugar has been dissolved. The mixture should be boiled until all the 

 ingredients are melted and then mixed with 12 lb. of wheat. — W. W. 

 Froggatt, Government Entomologist. 



