ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 355 



presenting difficulties in identification of the species, or in recognition of de- 

 velopment stages thereof. 



Studies in dry rot. — I, The biology of Coniophora cerebella, C. Wehmer 

 (Mycol. Centbl., 1 (1912), -No. 1, pp. 2-10, figs. 4). — This important fungus is of 

 very luxuriant growth, especially in quiet, moist air. It attaclis wood of 

 several sorts besides conifers, notably the beech (but not oak), and many 

 other materials, as linen, paper, cotton, etc., which serve as a basis for its de- 

 velopment. Its physical characteristics, modes of growth, nutrient relations, 

 and descriptions of its spores are given in some detail. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



Some common game, aquatic, and rapacious birds in relation to man, 

 W. L. McAtee and F. E. L. Beal (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 497, pp. 30, 

 figs. 14). — Attention is called to the fact that water birds, such as grebes, gulls, 

 and terns, are of greater economic value and do less harm than is ordinarily 

 supposed, while some species, like Franklin's gull and the black tern, are 

 marlcedly beneficial by their destruction of insects. It is also pointed out that 

 many birds of prey are exceedingly valuable to the farmer, although the oppo- 

 site is true of Cooper's hawk, the sharp-shinned hawk, and the goshawk, all 

 of which should be destroyed as the determined foes of poultry, game birds, 

 and most of the smaller insectivorous species. 



Those here dealt with are the prairie chicken (TympaniicJius americanus), 

 California quail {Lophortyx calif ornica), ruffed grouse (Bonasa umhellus), in- 

 troduced pheasants (Phasianus torquatus and P. colchicus), upland plover 

 (Bartramia longicauda), killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus) , horned grebe (Colym- 

 hus auritus), Franklin's gull (Lams franlcUni), terns (Sterna maxima, 8. 

 forsteri, 8. Mrundo, 8. antillarum, and Eydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) , 

 Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperi), rough-legged hawk (Archihuteo lagopus 

 sanetijohannis) , sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius), long-eared owl (Asio wil- 

 sonianus), and screech owl (Otiis asio). 



"All the shore birds are strikingly beneficial in their food habits, and the 

 slaughter of these game birds deprives the farmer of valuable allies against 

 some of the worst crop pests. . . . The gallinaceous game birds, as quail, 

 grouse, and pheasants, take far less insect food than the shore birds, yet all of 

 them do a certain amount of good. . . . The hawks and owls have a bad 

 name, but for the most part it is undeserved, and indiscriminate persecution 

 of these birds is a serious mistake." 



Migration of the Pacific plover to and from, the Hawaiian Islands, H. W. 

 Hensitaw (Auk, 21 (1910), No. 3, pp. 245-262; Ann. Rpt. Smithsn. Inst., 1910, 

 pp. 545-559). — This paper presents facts relating to the migration of the Pacific 

 plover (Charadrius dominicus fulvus), which were gathered in the Hawaiian 

 Islands from 1894 to 1904, together with certain deductions therefrom. 



Third annual report of the state ornithologist, E. H. Forbush (Agr. of 

 Mass., 58 (1910), pp. 165-197, pi. 1). — ^Among the subjects considered in this 

 report are the following: Destruction of song birds by aliens; birds feeding on 

 the eggs of the gipsy moth; European methods of attracting birds; and the 

 starling in Europe and America, its food, increase and dissemination, habits of 

 driving certain native birds from their nests, etc. 



Digest of the game, fi.sh, and forestry laws, 1911, edited by J. Kalbfus 

 (Harrishurg, Pa.: State, 1911, pp. 290). — This digest includes indexes to the 

 laws. 



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