ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 751 



Use of poisons for destroying noxious mammals, I). K. Lantz (U. S. Dcpt. 

 Agr. Yearbook 1908, pp. 421-.'i32). — This article doscribos the various poisons 

 employed in the destruction of noxious mammals and jjives directions for their 

 use. 



Methods of killing coyotes, ,T. C. Cunningham (Breeder's Gaz., 56 (1909), 

 No. 4, p. 132). — An account of some California methods of poisoning and trap- 

 ping coyotes. It is said that on many of the big cattle ranches Australian stag 

 hounds are now used. 



How to destroy rats, D. E. Lantz (U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 369, pp. 20, 

 figs. 5). — This bulletin is, in the main, a digest of Bulletin 33 of the Bureau of 

 Biological Survey of this Department previously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 346). 



Mouse plagues, their control and prevention, S. E. Piper ( U. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Yearhook 1908, pp. 301-3 W, pis. 5). — A brief account of outbreaks in which 

 mice become the source of great loss. A more detailed account of the methods 

 by which they may be controlled has been previously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 54). 



The susceptibility of gophers, field mice, and ground squirrels to plague 

 infection, G. W. McCoy (Jour. Infeet. Diseases, 6 (1909), No. 3, pp. 283-288).— 

 In the experiments here reported 3 families of the order Rodentia were repre- 

 sented by the California i)ocket gopher (Thomomys hotta'), field mouse 

 (2Iicrotus ealifornieus), and ground squirrel (Citelhis heeehyi), respectively. 



" Gophers are highly resistant to plague when inoculated by the cutaneous 

 method, but apparently often susceptible when inoculated subcutaneously. As 

 only 4 animals were used for the subcutaneous inoculation, no sure conclusion 

 can be drawn from the experiments. Field mice are moderately susceptible to 

 cutaneous inoculation and quite susceptible to subcutaneous inoculation. Plague 

 infection was successfully carried directly fi'om animal to animal through three 

 transfers in field mice by the cutaneous method of inoculation. Ground squir- 

 rels are highly susceptible to plague infection, no example of immunity having 

 been encountered. 



"We may conclude that gophers are not sufficiently susceptible to infection 

 with BaciUus pestis to be of any importance from an epidemiological point of 

 view. Field mice are probably about as susceptible as rats, but as they rarely 

 come in close contact with man, it is improbable that they will ever be a serious 

 factor in the spread of plague. As we already know from experience, ground 

 squirrels are of the utmost importance in plague epidemiology." 



Campaign against ground squirrels in Contra Costa County, California, 

 R. Blue (Pub. Ihalth ami Mar. IIo.sp. ^err. V. S.. Pub. IIcaNIi Rpts., 2', [1900), 

 No. 21, pp. 67Jf-676; Reprint, pp. 5). — Headquarters were established at Alamo, 

 Cal., about April 20, 1909, and a campaign has b3en inaugurated which con- 

 sists of shooting, trapping, and poisoning. For the latter purpose small gas 

 machines will be used for sulphur and carbon bisulphid asphyxiation. 



The economic value of predaceous birds and mammals, A. K. Fisher ( U. S. 

 Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1908, pp. 187-19/i, pis. 3). — This article discusses the 

 economic value of some of the better known predaceous species. Man's inter- 

 ference is shown to have been an important factor in the undue increase of 

 many pests. 



Several aspects of the protection of our native birds, W. W. Froggatt (Agr. 

 Gaz. X. S. Wales, 20 (1909), No. 5, pp. 369-.376). — A somewhat extended discus- 

 sion of this subject as applying to the conditions in Australia. 



Attention is drawn to the fact that when the natural food of insectivorous 

 birds, etc., is destroyed, or, due to the destruction of their natural enemies, 

 these birds increase in numbers sufficient to exhaust the natural food supply, 

 they may become injurious by preying upon vegetation. The magpie in 

 Australia is cited as an instance of this adaptation to the changed conditions. 



