ANIMAL. PRODUCTION. 669 



The economic significance of rabbit breeding, Attingek {Landiv. Jalirb. 

 Baijcrn, 1 {1911), No. 13, mk 901-912). — Au argument in favor of extending the 

 rabbit and Belgian hare industry as a source of cheap meat for urban popula- 

 tions. Comparisons are made with other Ivinds of live stock to show the rela- 

 tive profits and economy of production. 



Principles and practice of poultry culture, J. H. Robinson {Boston, New 

 York, and London, 1912, pp. XVI +611, pi. 1, figs. 570). — ^A profusely illustrated 

 work on poultiy, written from ihe practical point of view. Though there are 

 many breeds described, this feature is made subordinate to the broader aspect 

 of the problems of the poultryman. Tlie economic status of the poultry indus- 

 try is discussed, and the views of practical poultrymen and the results of 

 scientific investigation are presented in popular form. 



The numerous illustrations include many looultry houses and appliances now 

 in use at the state experiment stations. The bibliography which is appended 

 contains over 250 references, including many bulletins of the experiment stations 

 and publications of this Department. 



Feeding tests with meat meal in rations for poultry, K. Greggers {Fiitter- 

 Hugsvcrsuche hci Gcfli'igel mit Fleisch und proteinreichen Futterviittchi tier- 

 ischer Proverdenz. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1910, pp. 123). — In a test with 

 several meals of animal origin the digestion was normal and there was no 

 unfavorable effect on the skeletal system. Egg production ceased earlier tban 

 with normal hens. Fish meal was more favorable for egg production than 

 meat meal. The eggs were of poorer flavor than normal eggs, but could be 

 l)reserved in the usual way. The meat meal increased the intensity of the 

 yellow color of the yolk. The flesh of birds fed meat meal was normal as 

 regards taste and odor, though slightly changed in color, melting point, and 

 fat, which were higher than normal but lower than normal with fish meal. 

 In all cases the iodin number was much below normal. When fed cadaver 

 meal the flesh of the fowl had a rancid taste, and whenever fed should be as 

 free from fat as possible. Tuberculous beef did not cause tuberculosis in 

 the hens. 



These results and other data are presented in tabular form. A bibliogi-aphy 

 is appended. 



A new high egg record, W. R. Gkaham {Breeder's Gaz., 61 {1912), No. o, 

 p. 257). — A note on the record of 6 Barred Rock hens at the Ontario Agricul- 

 tural College. Between October 1, 1910, and October 1, 1911, the egg records 

 of the 6 hens were 213, 252, 256, 256,. 268, and 282 eggs, respectively. 



In regard to transporting poultry into Germany {Min. Bl. E. Preuss. 

 Verivalt. Landw., Domdncn u. Forsten, 7 {1911), No. 9, pp. 194-197; abs. in 

 BcrUn. Tierarstl. Wchnsclir., 27 {1911), No. 40, pp. 736, 737).— This is a state- 

 ment of the laws in regard to the shipment of poultry into Germany, with par- 

 ticular reference to the prevention of poultry diseases. 



The prehistoric origin of the common fowl, F. J. Stubbs and A. J. Rowe 

 {Zoologist, //. ser., 16 {1912), No. 181, pp. 1-14, figs. 6). — Evidence is presented 

 which indicates that the common fowl was present in Babylonia in the fiftieth 

 century B. C. ; that it was introduced into Egypt about 4600 B. C. ; to the 

 Mediterranean countries from Mesopotamia at some unknown but very early 

 date ; and to India by a race from the northwest, known as Dravadians, at an 

 unknown date. It is assumed that the original wild stock is long extinct as 

 in the case of many other domesticated animals. No evidence has been found 

 that the fowl originated in India, but the species is now feral there as in many 

 other parts of the world. 



Experiments on xenia and inheritance in fowls, P. Holdefleiss {Ber. 

 Physiol. Lab. u. Vers. Anst, Landw. Inst, ilalle, 1911, No. 20, pp. 93-111, pi, 1). — 



