252 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



pigeons during vviuter and spring. These birds were found to feed largely upon 

 oak galls, the seeds of turnips and rape, wild berries, and the succulent roots 

 of Potcntilla anserina exjjosed in plowing fields infested with this weed. 



Does it pay the farmer to protect birds? H. W. Henshaw ( U. 8. Dept. 

 Agr. Ycarhool- 1907, pp. IG5-178, pis. 7/). — The insectivorous and vegetarian birds 

 and their food habits are discussed by the writer, and their importance as 

 d(>stroyers of insects is emphasized. Directions for the protection of birds 

 from man, and means of attracting them to the farm and of protecting crops 

 from their attacks are given. 



An account of the Biological Survey of the Department of Agriculture, 

 H. W. Henshaw (Nat. Gcogi: Mag., 19 {1908), No. 2, pp. 79-llS, figs. .i8).—A 

 popular account is presented of the relation of birds and other animals to agri- 

 culture, with particular i-eference to the work of the Biological Survey of this 

 Department and its study of the agricultural relations of birds and mammals. 

 The author also mentions the establishment of game preserves and the means 

 of guarding against the Importation of dangerous animals. 



Index-catalogue of medical and veterinary zoology, C. W. Stiles and A. 

 IlAssAL {U. .S'. Drpt. Agr., Bur. Aiiim. Indus. Bui. 39, pis. 20, pp. 1. ',93-1. 57. 't; 

 21, pp. 1575-1624). — A continuation of the index catalogue of medical and 

 veterinary zoology, part 20, containing the names of authors from Js'aab to 

 Nystrom and part 21, names from Obenaus to Ozzard. 



Sixth report of the state entomologist and plant pathologist of Virginia, 

 J. L. Phillips (Rept. Va. State Eiit. and Plant Path., 6 (1906-7). pp. 99, pis. 

 3). — In this report a general account is given of the work of the entomologist 

 during 1900-7 with particular reference to nursery and orchard inspection. 

 Methods of treatment are suggested for nursery stock, together with brief 

 statements of the requirements of various States regarding the shipment of 

 nursery stock. A detailed report is made of the work of orchard inspection 

 in the various counties of the State. 



Proceedings of the twentieth annual meeting of the Association of Eco- 

 nomic Entomologists (Jour, Econ. Ent., 1 (1908), No. 1, pp. 1-76).— At the 

 twentieth annual meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists held 

 in Chicago, Decemljer 27 and 28, 1907, a number of papers were rend, the more 

 important of which are noted in the following paragraphs. 



President H. A. Morgan in his annual address discussed The Relation of the 

 Economic Entomologist to Agriculture (pp. 11-15). Particular attention was 

 given to the recognition of the importance of economic entomology in the work 

 of the land-grant colleges, and in the recent State and Federal operations in 

 controlling the insect pests of the Southern States. 



The relation between Cultivation and Susceptibility to Insect Attack was 

 considered by J. B. Smith (pp. 15, 10). It is stated that as a rule vigorous 

 sappy growth is more generally infested and injured by scale insects than 

 slow hardy growth and that trees in well cultivated orchards and highly fer- 

 tilized are more suscei)tible to attack than trees in sod or under cultural neg- 

 lect. It has also been observed that infestation of young trees is of more 

 serious consequence than that of older trees and that trees which have been 

 persistently ti'eated for years without success often clean themselves of scale 

 after being abandoned and thereafter remain pi-actically free. 



Observations on the Biology and Food Habits of the Cecidomyiidfe were 

 given by E. P. Felt (pp. 18-21). The author gave biological notes on a num- 

 ber of gall insects on various wild species of plants. 



W. Newell discussed the habits and economic importance of Iridomynnex 

 humilis (pp. 21-34). This ant, commonly known as the New Orleans ant, has 

 proved to be one of the most serious household pests wherever it has become 



