ZOOLOGY. 521 



A few of the many topics discussed are distilling, brewing, wine making, manu- 

 facture of vinegar, dairying, preparation of fodders of various kinds, tobacco and 

 sugar manufacturing, fixation of free atmospheric nitrogen, nitrification, etc. The 

 subjects have been treated from the botanical, technical, and chemical standpoints, 

 particular stress being paid to the latter two. Special sections are devoted to the 

 decomposition and transformation of organic nitrogenous compounds and on oxidiz- 

 ing fermentation, in which a large fund of information is given relative to the bac- 

 terial processes involved in the breaking up of various organic compounds. 



The historical development of the subject is treated in a very interesting and 

 complete manner and the account of the various systems of classification of bacteria is 

 most valuable. The principles of sterilization and pure cultivation are rather briefly 

 but very clearly stated. 



Mechanically the book is well made, and the only serious fault to be found with it 

 is the lack of an index, a serious omission we believe in any work. This will doubt- 

 less be given in the concluding volume, but in such a work its usefulness is greatly 

 increased by making every volume, complete in itself. The same objection can be 

 olfered the system of references. A very complete table of contents will aid some- 

 what iu overcoming the difficulties experienced by the lack of an index. In all 

 probability this work will for sometime to come be the most elaborate and useful 

 treatise in English on the subject. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Birds that injure grain, F. E. L. Beax ( U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearhook 1897, pp. 345- 

 354). — According to the author the more important grain-eating birds in the United 

 States are the crow, crow blackbird, red- winged blackbird, yellow-headed blackbird, 

 rusty grackle, and cowbird. The food habits, breeding places, etc., of the different 

 birds are noted as well as the causes which account for the increase of some of the 

 birds. It is stated that apparently few birds willingly subsist exclusively upon any 

 one kind of grain for a considerable time, and on the other hand they have a marked 

 fondness for the seeds of certain useless plants. The ravages which they occasion- 

 ally cause are explained on the ground of too many birds of the same or closely allied 

 species within a limited area. An attempt to exterminate the species is regarded as 

 ill advised and hopeless. It would doubtless be possible to diminish the number of 

 birds when desirable. 



" With the breeding places more restricted and an environment otherwise changed 

 by increased population, the number of birds must surely decrease, and in time the 

 proper equilibrium will be restored. In the meantime it behooves the farmer to 

 apply such remedies as the exigencies of the case suggest, and where these gregarious 

 species are over abundant it might be well to exempt them from the general pro- 

 tective laws, in order that each landholder may be free to protect himself as best he 

 can." 



Further notes on the birds of Colorado, W.W.Cooke {Colorado Sta. Bui. 44, 

 pp. 147-176). — This is considered as an appendix to Bulletin 37 of the station (E. S. R., 

 9, p. 229), and contains notes on the results of investigations made since the former 

 bulletin was published. The total number of birds now known to occur iu Colorado 

 is 374, of which 236 breed there. 



The white or barn owl (Bd. Agr. [London] Leaflet No. 51, pp. 4, fig. 1). — The white 

 or barn owl (Strix aluco or S. flammed) is described, and information concerning its 

 food habits, etc., quoted from a number of sources. The fact is pointed out that 

 this bird is useful and that it should be protected. The wild birds' protection act, 

 which applies to the white or barn owl, is cited. 



On the systematic destruction of woodchucks, F. H. Storei: (Bui. Busseg Inst., 

 2 (189S), No. 7, pp. 422-428).— -The author discusses attempts to destroy woodchucks 

 with vapor from volatile liquids, such as bisulpbid of carbon, and by poisons. Ex- 

 periments in smoking woodchucks in their burrows are reported. Earlier attempts 

 were made with sulphur or touch paper, but the best results Avere obtained with a 

 torch made of sodium nitrate 12 parts, sulphur 6 parts, mealed gunpowder 4 parts, 



