958 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The disease caused by Napicladium is characterized by attaclvs early in the 

 spring on young shoots when they are beginning their development. Later 

 through a lack of nourishment they become dry and dead. The fungus is 

 abundant, J:he conidia appearing on the surf ace. early in June, when the small 

 black spots appear on the leaves, which later dry up. 



This disease seems to be particularly destructive, the author stating that 

 in some regions it has made the growing of the Lombardy poplar practically an 

 impossibility. The death of the trees has usually been attributed to meteoro- 

 logical and soil conditions, but in reality is caused by the parasitism of the 

 fungus. 



The thorough use of fungicides at the beginning of leaf development has 

 pi'oved efficient in controlling this disease, but it is impracticable to spi*ay the 

 lai'ge trees and the author recommends that this treatment should be confined 

 to young trees in the nurseries. 



The other disease, due to T. aurea, is confined to the leaves, on which the 

 fungus forms bladder-like areas characteristic of this genixs of fungi. In addi- 

 tion to the Lombardy poplar, the Taphrina is found on other species, where it 

 deforms the leaves. Where young trees are attacked, the author advises the 

 collecting and burning of the infected leaves and spraying the trees with some 

 copper fungicide. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



A preliminary order of birds in Missouri, O. Widmann (Trans. Acad. Set. 

 St. Louis, 17 (1907), No. 1, pp. 288). — An annotated list is given of the birds 

 observed to occur in Missouri. In the introduction to this catalogue bib- 

 liographical references are given and a discussion of faunal areas, climate, 

 topography, and related matters is presented. The reduction in the number 

 of birds during recent years is in part due to the gradual extension of agri- 

 culture and the destruction of the natural habitats of birds. A plea is made 

 for the protection of birds, especially those species which are of economic 

 importance. 



The food of birds, N. Passerini and G. Cecconi {Atti R. Accad. Econ. Agr. 

 Gcorg. Flrenze, 5. ser., Jf (1907), No. 3, pp. 3S.'t~Jf2.'i). — During the investiga- 

 tions reported in this paper the stomach contents of 70 species of birds were 

 examined for the purpose of determining the food habits of these birds. The 

 results are presented in tabular form. The authors note the comparative 

 frequency with which empty stomachs are found in various species of birds. 



With regard to the insect food of birds, injurious species of insects were 

 found in bird stomachs only in rare cases. The authors believe that many 

 published statements to the effect that birds are of great value in destroying 

 injurious insects are based on superficial observations without the examination 

 of stomach contents. 



Food habits of the grosbeaks, W. L. McAtee (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Biol. 

 Survcg Bill. 32, pp. 92, pis. //. figs. JfO). — The author examined the stomach 

 contents and observed the feeding habits of the cardinal, gray, rose-breasted, 

 . black-headed, and blue grosbeaks. The grosbeaks belong to the finch family and 

 are general feeders, their food being about half vegetable and half animal. 

 The vegetable food was largely seeds. The five species studied by the author 

 consumed 9 times more weed seed than grain and fruit, and 19 times more in- 

 jurious than useful insects. The species in question are, therefore, considered 

 as well worthy of protection and of great economic value to the farmer. 



In connection with the discussion of each si^eeies detailed statements are 

 given concerning the kinds of vegetable and insect food consumed. 



