document, in which he desired to mention the time of a certain 

 event which had sHpped his memory. Recourse to the typewritten 

 copy of the index showed the thing wanted in an instant. 



THE BLACK WITCH. 



Discussing the character of the black witch (Crofophaga ani), 

 an insect-eating bird, the Agricultural News makes some remarks 

 that should be of interest here, where the question of the intro- 

 duction of insectivorous birds has received much attention. What 

 is quoted below will show that the care nowadays displayed by the 

 Hawaiian authorities, as distinguished from the carelessness of 

 former times, in deciding upon what birds may safely be intro- 

 duced, is highly justified. Among other information and com- 

 ment on the black witch, the Agricultural News gives the fol- 

 lowing: 



"This bird is known by a number of common names, among 

 w^hich are the following: ani, black parrot, savannah blackbird, 

 tick bird, black witch, keel bill, and (in St. Lucia) merle corbeau. 



"The black witch is generally conceded to be a most useful 

 bird on account of its insect-eating habits ; its food includes many 

 pests, and certain insects which are not generally eaten by birds. 

 In Jamaica, the black witch has been observed eating stink bugs 

 and cotton stainers : these are not often used as food by birds, on 

 account of characteristic offensive odors possessed by them. Ticks 

 also form part of the food of the black witch, and on account of 

 its tick-feeding habits it is called the tick bird in certain localities. 

 As an enemy of the insect pests of cotton, also, the bird is very 

 useful. 



"As in the case of all insectivorous birds, however, this one cap- 

 tures and devours beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and wasps, 

 and it is probable that any beneficial as well as injurious insects 

 are eaten as opportunity offers. In addition to ticks and insects, 

 seeds and berries are also eaten. 



"The question has recently been raised as to whether a useful 

 purpose would be served by the introduction of the black witch 

 into the island of Antigua. It would seem at first sight that the 

 introduction of a bird whose feeding habits arc known to be so 

 useful could produce only beneficial results, but so many instances 

 are known where the introduction of a species of bird or animal 

 into a new locality has produced conditions other than those which 

 were sought, that it is best carefully to consider whether there i.s 

 another aspect of the question. 



"The habit of destroying ticks, stinking ])lant l)ugs and cotton 

 stainers is one which entitles its possessor to recognition, but the 

 fact that beneficial insects are also destroyed should be taken into 

 account. There seems to be no rccortl of (Urinitc observation.s 



