58 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



The effect of lime and fertilizers as influencing the disease was investigated to 

 some extent, and it was found that the disease was favored by the presence of 

 lime. There seemed to be little difference between the different fertilizers used, 

 except in the case of tankage and compost. Each of these gave excellent ger- 

 mination and a small amount of damping off. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



Birds of Arkansas, A. H. Howell (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Biol. Survey Bui. 38, 

 pp. 100, i)Is. 7, figs. Jf). — This is said to be the first detailed study to be pub- 

 lished of the avifauna of Arkansas, which is remarkable for the variety and 

 abundance of its bird life. 



The introductory part of the bulletin deals with the physical features of the 

 State, the life zones, economic value of birds, game resources and legislation, 

 etc. Accounts of the occurrence, food, etc., of 255 species and subspecies 

 accredited to the State, including observations made by the author and other 

 members of the Bureau, follow. 



" On account of the very limited number of observers many species have 

 escaped detection which, by reason of their known range in adjacent regions, 

 must certainly occur in the State. These species. 35 in number, are included 

 in a hypothetical list ... 67 species or subspecies may be considered as perma- 

 nent residents, either nonmigratory birds breeding within its limits or migra- 

 tory species that occur in both summer and winter ; 75 are summer resident 

 breeding species; 60 are winter residents; 69 are transients — that is, migrating 

 species occurring in either spring or fall ; and 19 occur irregularly as accidental 

 visitors. Many species listed as summer residents and winrer residents occur 

 also more abundantly as transients. More thorough field investigations will 

 doubtless increase the number of birds known to occur in the State to about 300 

 forms." 



Woodpeckers in relation to trees and wood products, W. L. McAtee (Z7. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Biol. Survey Bui. 39, pp. 99, j)ls. 12, figs. //4)- — This bulletin treats 

 of the more strictly economic aspects of woodpecker work, points out wherein 

 the birds are beneficial and wherein injurious, and in the latter case suggests 

 remedies. It discusses the damage by woodpeckers in general under the head- 

 ings of damage to trees, compensation for injuries due to food and nest excava- 

 tions, damage to wooden posts and structures, and the prevention of damage, as 

 well as the distribution and habits of the sapsucker group, the effects of their 

 work on the external appearance and health of trees, and on lumber and finished 

 wood products, their food, preventive measures, etc. 



In order to minimize the damage caused by woodpeckers proper, which are 

 chiefly beneficial, a trial of nesting boxes especially designed for woodpeckers is 

 recommended. " Killing the birds should be the last resort. When all is said 

 and done, woodpeckers of this group much more than compensate for all the 

 harm they do by devouring large numbers of the insect enenues of trees, many 

 of which are preyed on by no other birds. 



" The sapsuckers, unlike other woodpeckers, secure a considerable part of their 

 subsistence from the tissues and juices of trees. In doing this they offen destroy 

 so much of the cambium or growing layer that the trees are weakened and dis- 

 figured or even killed. Further, the wood of many of the trees they attack is 

 so stained and distorted during the healing process that its value for lumber 

 is impaired or destroyed. The loss from this cause in the United States is 

 more than one and a quarter million dollars annually. Sapsuckers do not prey 

 upon any especially destructive insects and do comparatively little to offset 

 the damage they inflict. Hence the yellow-bellied sapsucker SpJiyrapicus varim 



