1052 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ZOOLOGY. 



A biological reconnoissance in the vicinity of Flathead Lake, M. J. Elrod 



( Unii: Montana Bid. 10, pp. S!:>-1SJ, ^>/.s. 30, figs.. S). — This l>ulletin contains a descrip- 

 tion of the region about Flathead Lake, together with notes on the animals and plants 

 which are to be found in that locality. Collections of moUuaks, insects, and birds 

 have been made and brief notes are given on the species collected. Among the 

 miscellaneous material in the bulletin mention should be made of an account of the 

 Flathead buffalo herd, which is maintained under the same conditions as range cat- 

 tle and which numbers 220 pure-bred Ijuffalo and B.") half breeds. 



The thirty-first annual report of the hoard of directors of the Zoological 

 Society of Philadelphia, A. E. Brown {PhUadelpIda: Allen, Lane & Scott, 190,3, 

 "pp. 42). — An account is given of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and batrachians in 

 the gardens and menagerie, and of the species which were exhibited during the 5'ear 

 for the first time. A list is also presented of animals born in the gardens during the 

 period covered by the report, and notes are also given on the additions to the me- 

 nagerie during the year. C. B. Penrose presents a list of animals which died during 

 the season, together ^^'ith notes on the causes of their death. A large percentage of 

 these animals died of some form of tuberculosis. 



The flame-breasted robin (Petroeca phaenicea), C. French {Jour. Dept. Agr. 

 Victoria, 1 {1902), No. 9, j>p. 906, 907, pi. 1). — A brief discussion of the habits and 

 food of this species of bird, which is considered as strictly insectivorous and recom- 

 mended for protection. 



The house sparrow, J. Percival {Jour. Bd. Agr. \_London'\, 9 {1902), No. 3, pp. 

 338-34^). — Notes are given on the destructive habits of the English sparrow, and 

 this species is compared in its appearance and habits with other related species of 

 sparrows. A scheme of rules is presented suitable for adoption by clubs and socie- 

 ties whicli may wish to form an organization for the destruction of this bird. 



Contributions to the ornithology of Sao Paulo, H. von Ihering {Rev. Mus. 

 Paulista, 5 {1902), pj). 261-330). — Descriptive notes are given on the various families 

 of birds with special mention of the feeding habits of some important species. A list 

 of the birds which occur in the State of Sao Paulo is appended to the article. 



Necessity of a federal game law and the protection of birds, H. von Ihering 

 {Rev. Mus. Paidista, 5 {1902), pp. 238-260). — Notes are given on the game birds which 

 are at' present protected by law at certain seasons of the year, and attention is called 

 to the difficulties in the proper definition of the term "game" so as to exclude birds 

 which should l)e protected during tlie whole season. 



Destroying prairie dogs and pocket gophers, D. E. Lantz {Kansas Sta. Bui. 

 116, pp. 147-163, figs. 8).— A copy is given of the State law of Kansas regarding the 

 destruction of prairie dogs and pocket gophers. A circular letter of inquiry was sent 

 out and the answers to this circular furnish the basis for an account of the distribu- 

 tion of these animals. At present it is estimated that the prairie clog villages in the 

 State occupy an area of 2,000,000 acres. Experiments in destroying prairie dogs 

 included the use of traps, fumigation with sulphur fumes and carbon bisulphid, and 

 poisoning with arsenic, corrosive sublimate, barium carbonate, potassium cyanid, 

 and strychnin. The best results were obtained from the use of carbon bisulphid and 

 a proprietary poison formula which contained strychnin. In the destruction of the 

 pocket gopher the author discusses briefly the value of bounties, poisonous gases, 

 trapping, and the use of solid poisons. 



Myriapods in the Museum of Sao Paulo, H. W. Brolemann {Rev. Mus. Pau- 

 lista, 6 {190 J), ]jp. 35-237). ■ — A monographic account of this group of animals. The 

 author presents an analytical key for the determination of genera and species and 

 gives brief economic notes in connection with the numerous species described, a 

 number of which are new. 



