ZOOLOGY. 719 



in a given ppecies of leguminous plants, whether the same species occurs throughout 

 all the tubercles on the roots, and whetiier a given species of plant is always inocu- 

 lated by the same species of bacteria. The morphology and biologii-al characters are 

 given of 5 species which have been separated from tubercles occurring on the roots 

 of red clover, Vicia saliva, Phascolus nanus, alsike clover, and buffalo clover. Cultures 

 have been separated and are being studied from crimson clover, black locust, white 

 clover, cowpeas, and alfalfa. 



Spermatogenesis and fecundation of Zamia, il. J. Wehhku ( ['. S. I)ej)l. Ayr., 

 Buiraii (if Plant liKlnstri/ Hal. .', /iji. 100, plx. 7). — A technical bulletin treating of the 

 fertilization and fccundati<in of Zamia, based upon the author's studies while in 

 charge of the tropical laboratory of this Dejtartment located in Florida. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Insectivorous birds ( West Indian Bui., 3 {1901), No. 3, pp. 243-250). — Notes are 

 given on the unusual injury to cultivated plants in the West Indies from grasshop- 

 pers. It is suggested that the introduction of the mongoose has led to the destruc- 

 tion of many native birds which naturally fed to some extent on grasshoppers, and 

 that the unusual prevalence of grasshoppers is partly due to this cause. It was sug- 

 gested that the Indian starling be introduced into the Island of St. Kitts for the 

 purpose of testing its efficiency in destroying grasshoppers. The matter was inves- 

 tigated, and various opinions were obtained from different authors as to the advis- 

 ability of this move. These opinions differed to a considerable extent, but the 

 agricultural department recommended the introduction of the Barbados blackbird 

 {Quiscahts crassirostriis), and birds were shipped from Barbados to St. Kitts. Pre- 

 liminary reports indicate that these birds will prove effective in keeping the grass- 

 hoppers in check. 



The food of the myrtle warbler, C. M. Weed and N. Dearborn (New Hamp- 

 shire Sta. Tech. Bid. 3, pp. 117-128, Jig. 1). — Brief popular notes are given on the 

 habits of Dendroira coronata. An examination was made of the stomach contents of 

 myrtle warblers killed in New Hampshire. It was found that a large proportion of 

 the food of this bird consisted of the fruit of Myrica cerifera. This was especially 

 the case in the autumn, when the fruits of this plant are most abundant. At that 

 time insects constituted only about 30 per cent of the food. An analysis of the fruit 

 of the bayberry was made by F. W. Morse. It is concluded that since the vegetable 

 food of the myrtle warbler has no value, the insects eaten by this bird render it of 

 some economic importance, and it is urged that the presence of the bird be encour- 

 aged about the farm. 



The rat-destroying bacilli discovered by Danysz, J. Kiester and P. Kotoen 

 {Deut. Med. Wchnschr., 27(1901), No. i,^,/^;v. ^75, ^76").— Special interest in the problem 

 of destroying rats in large cities has been awakened \)y the increased danger from 

 l)ubonic plague. The authors' experiments with the l)acterial organisms discovered 

 by Danysz show that rats which were fed on pure cultures died within 5 to 7 days 

 without exception, and that white mice were killed in about the same length of time. 

 The authors believe that in these organisms an effective method is found for the 

 destruction of rats. 



Corynethrix pseudotuberculosis murium — a new pathogenic bacillus for 

 mice, BoNOEKT ( Ztschr. Ifi/'j. ". Infertioiixkrank. , .>7 ( 1901), No. 3, pp. 449-47 '>, ph. 2). — 

 An outbreak of a disease of unknown character occurred among mice which were 

 Ijeing kept in the laboratory for experimental i)urposes. The author made an investi- 

 gation of this disease and i.solated the pathogenic organism, which is described as new. 

 The Ijehavior of this organism on various nutrient media is described and its morj)ho- 

 logical charac;ters are given in detail. White and gray mice were very susceptible to 



