ZOOLOGY. 341 



mitted, especially in southern France, by field mire An account is presented of 

 experiments in infecting mice over large areas of land. This met In »1 of destruction 

 has been carried out systematically on an area of 2,800 acres and has proved success- 

 ful, while the f"\\ Is and other farm animals did not become infected. 



The extermination of rats, A. Negreleos {Jour. Agr. Trop., i I 1904), No. 33, 

 l>l>. 76, 77). — Attention is called to the great depredation of these animals, especially 

 in St. Thomas, where they destroy a considerable portion of the cacao and some 

 other crops. The virus prepared by Danysz f< >r use in destroying these pests was 

 tried with negative results. Attention will be given toatestof the method proposed 

 by the Pasteur Institute. 



The Parker rabbit exterminator [Queensland Agr. Jour., 15 (1904), No. 2, pp. 

 613, 614, fig. 1) ■ — A description is given of a contrivance which has been devised and 

 tested in the destruction of rabbits. The effectiveness of the device depends on the 

 habit of rabbits in traveling along newly turned furrows. A small receptacle contain- 

 ing a quantity of fluid poison sufficient to kill about 300 rabbits is placed underground 

 in the floor of the furrow. The weight of the rabbit upon a small platform attached 

 to the apparatus is sufficient to discharge a certain quantity of the poison upon the 

 fur of the rabbit through a small nozzle. The poison is mixed with some sugar in 

 order to make a sticky fluid. The rabbits are poisoned when they lick this material 

 from their fur. 



Dingo trapping i Jour. Dept. Agr. West. Australia, 10 (1904), No. 2, pp. 82-84. pi. 

 1). — Notes are given on methods of placing traps so as to catch the dingo or Avild dog 

 of Australia. This animal commits considerable depredations upon sheep flocks and 

 is so wary that special methods are required in trapping it successfully. 



Importation of insectivorous birds, B. O. Clark {Hawaiian Forester and Agr.. 

 1 (1904), No. ■>. pp. 53, 54). — The author refers briefly to the beneficial effects of cer- 

 tain birds on account of their feeding habits. It is recommended that Brewer's 

 Blackbird, which is especially common in southern California and which shows 

 more or less insectivorous habits, should be introduced for the purpose of combating 

 the leaf hopper pests of sugar cane and other insects. As stated by another autln ir, 

 however, this bird frequently attacks grain crops, and the possibility of its being 

 injurious to rice in Hawaii must lie considered. 



The sparrow plague and its remedy, A. Bathgate ( Trans, and Proc. New Zea- 

 land Inst., 36 { 1003), pp. 67-79). — The literature relating to the English sparrow is 

 critically reviewed. The bird is considered as doing far more harm than good, and 

 the means for its destruction are therefore discussed. In combating the English 

 sparrow the author believes that little hope is to be entertained from the method of 

 offering bounties. The 2 methods recommended are systematic trapping by expert 

 bird catchers and the introduction and encouragement of the natural enemies of the 

 English sparrows, such as owds, jays, magpies, shrikes, and other birds. Under the 

 exercise of proper precautions poisoning may also be effective. 



The birds of Erie and Presque Isle, Erie County, Pennsylvania, VY. E. C. 

 Todd (Ann. Carnegie Mus., 2 (1904), No. 4. pp. 481—596, pis. 4)- — A study was made 

 of the bird fauna in the northwestern portion of the State of Pennsylvania, par- 

 ticularly about the town of Erie and on Presque Isle. The chief purpose of this 

 study was to determine the number of species present, their distribution, and the 

 influence of Lake Erie and local conditions upon this distribution. Notes are given 

 on the frequency of occurrence and other biological data concerning all species which 

 are reported. 



The marsh hawk and its beneficial effects in the destruction of mice 

 (Com. Parasit. Agr. [Mexico], Circ. 10, pp. 5, fig. 1). — Brief notes on the feeding 

 habits and economic importance of this bird. 



Sawdust and fish life, A. P. Knight ( Trans. Canad. Inst., 7 (1904), III Np, 15, 

 pp. 425-466, figs. 6). — On account of the abundant occurrence of sawdust in streams, 



