ZOOLOGY. 543 



minutes. When water containing hydrogen sulphid was used the animals were killed 

 almost instantly. This gas was considered 20 times as effective as carbon hisulphid. 



A hydrocarbon <>il obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of Pintsch gas gave 

 results about equal to those obtained by carbon bisulphid. The same may be said 

 for a hydrocarbon obtained from another gas works. Pintsch gas hydrocarbon gives 

 off a heavy vapor which readily penetrates into the holes. The hydrocarbon obtained 

 from coal gas is very similar to the Pintsch hydrocarbon but is somewhat less 

 volatile. 



In field experiments Pintsch hydrocarbon and carbon bisulphid were used. It is 

 found necessary to go over a dog town very thoroughly every few T days for about two 

 weeks, treating all open holes. The hydrocarbons are not poisonous in the ordinary 

 sense, and take fire less readily than carbon bisulphid. The cost of this application 

 varies from 2 to 20 cts. per acre, according to the number of prairie-dog holes per 

 acre. In the case of unusually large dog towns it is probably preferable to adopt a 

 combination of poisoning and fumigation. 



Jackal-proof fencing ( Agr. Jour. Cape Good Hope, 25 (1904), No. 5, pp. 560-563). — 

 Woven-wire fencing has been tested on a large scale in the Australian colonies and 

 has given excellent results in protecting stock against the attacks of jackals. The 

 expense is quite inconsiderable when compared with the saving of stock which would 

 otherwise be destroyed by these pests. 



South African jackals, P. J. Du Toit (Agr. Jour. Cape Good Hope, 25 (1904), 

 No. 5, pp. 569-572, pi. 1 ) . — The habits of the jackal are briefly discussed, and n< >tes 

 are given on poisoning and other methods of extermination. In Cape Colony 4 spe- 

 cies of jackals are recognized, and detailed descriptive notes are given on these species 

 with suggestions regarding the most successful methods of exterminating them. The 

 species of jackal found in Cape Colony are Canis mesomelas, Proteles cristatus, Otocyon 

 megalotis, and Vulpes chama. 



Protecting- nursery stock and young trees from rabbits and hares (Agr. Gaz. 

 New South Wales, 15 (1904) , No. 8, p. 744). — No success is reported in preventing the 

 attacks of rabbits by the rubbing of blood, liver, or other disagreeable substances 

 upon trees. The use of traps is recommended in the place of this device. 



Beneficial and harmful mammals and birds (Rev. Gen. Agron. [Louvairi], 13 

 (1904), Nos. 9, pp. 370-378; 10, pp. 416-426, figs. 2). — A large number of mammals 

 and birds are discussed with special reference to their economic relations with agri- 

 cultural industry. Attention is called to the feeding habits of birds and mammals 

 which are particularly beneficial or injurious. 



Catalogue of Canadian birds, III, J. Macoun (Ottawa: Geol. Survey of Canada, 

 1904, pp. IV '4- 415-733 4- XXIII). — This part of the author's catalogue of Canadian 

 birds completes the work at least for the present, and includes sparrows, swallows, 

 vireos, warblers, wrens, titmice, and thrushes. Notes are given in considerable 

 detail on each species regarding its relative numbers, distribution, habits, and eco- 

 nomic relations. The total number of birds recorded for Canada includes nearly 800 

 species, in addition to a number of species of doubtful occurrence. 



The protection of birds which are beneficial to agriculture, A. Meraz (Bol. 

 Sec. Fomento [Mexico], 4 (1904), No. 4, pp. 350-377, pis. 4)- — The author briefly 

 reviews the feeding habits and economic relations of a number of common birds in 

 Mexico, including hawks, owls, meadow lark, robin, sparrow, etc. 



Distribution and migration of North American warblers, W. W. Cooke ( U. 

 S. I)ej>t. Ayr., Division of Biological Surrey Bid. 18, pp. 142). — In this bulletin the 

 author presents a general account of the habits, distribution, and various routes of 

 migration of North American warblers. Lists are given of the species of warblers 

 which follow the different possible routes of migration, and notes are also presented 

 on the southernmost extension of winter ranges of warblers. The major portion of 

 the bulletin is occupied by the systematic report in which details are given of the 



