552 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED, 



Tlie author gives an account of the natural enemies of rabbits, including foxes, 

 wild cats, weasels, and parasitic insects and worms. The most important 

 means of controlling rabbits are to be found in the extensive use of traps, 

 fumigation, and distributing poison. 



The destruction of rats, B. Galli-Yalerio (Chron. Agr. Vaiid, 21 {1908), 

 A'o. 6, PI). I'i2-l.'i7). — The damages caused by Mus rattus and M. decumanus are 

 briefly described. These rats must also be considered as likely to carry various 

 pathogenic bacteria and i)arasites from place to place. A rat virus was used 

 but later was abandoned as being less effecitve than traps and other means of 

 destruction. 



The use of fluid cultures of mouse typhoid {Prakt. Bl. Pflanzenbau u. 

 Schutz, n. sen, 6 (1908), JN'o. 3, pp. 33-35). — The effect of cultures of mouse 

 typhoid bacilli is not to be observed until after 8 to 14 days. As a rule, the 

 mice dead from this cause are not to be found on the surface of the ground, since 

 they hide in their burrows before dying. 



The ecological succession of birds, C. C. Adams {Auk, 25 {1908), No. 2, pp. 

 109-153). — A review is given of the more important literature on habitats and 

 the succession of birds observed in various localities. Particular attention is 

 given to the various associations or communities of birds which may be ob- 

 served in one and the same localities at different seasons of the year. It is 

 believed that a more complete knowledge of these matters will be of importance 

 in gaining definite information as to the econoniic relations of birds. 



The significance of insectivorous birds in agriculture, J. R. Bos {Tijdschr. 

 Plantenzlektcn, 12 {1906), Xo. Jf-6, pp. 105-lJi2). — A general discussion is pre- 

 sented of the relationship of insectivorous birds to agriculture. Attention is 

 given to the problems of determining the economic relations of various species 

 of insects and of estimating the value or injurious character of birds which 

 feed indiscriminately upon harmful and beneficial insects. 



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

 nomic Entomologists {Jour. Econ. Ent., 1 {1908), No. 2, pp. 81-159, flffs. .'t). — 

 A continuation of the proceedings of the association at the 1907 meeting CE. S. 

 R., 20, p. 252). Brief notes are given on the various papers in the following 

 paragraphs. 



S. A. Forbes presented the results of P^xperiments with Repellents Against 

 the Corn Root-Aphis. Seed corn was soaked in kerosene at the rate of a tea- 

 spoonful to 4 qts. of corn, in a 10 per cent alcoholic solution of oil of lemon, and 

 in a 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid or formalin. As a result of these treat- 

 ments the reduction in the number of aphids was 14 per cent after carbolic 

 acid, 60 per cent after formalin, .84 per cent after kerosene, and 89 per cent 

 after oil of lemon. The gain in the number of ears was about 20 per cent 

 where the oil of lemon was used. 



E. P. Taylor discussed the Life History and Control of the Green-Peach Aphis. 

 In the author's opinion, Myzus peisiccc has been confused with other species. 

 The life history of this insect is presented in considerable detail. The insect 

 may be controlled by the use of 5 per cent emulsion of kerosene in the spring. 



W. E. Hinds and F. C. Bishopp presented A Key for the Classification of En- 

 tomological Records. This key contains a detailed outline of subject headings 

 under which the records of entomological work and study and projects to be 

 investigated may be suitably classified. 



E. F. Phillijis called attention to the desirability of a more thorough study 

 of bee diseases. The men who have been selected as insi)ectors of apiaries have 

 not always succeeded in contrf)lling the spread of foul brood and other bee 

 diseases. T. B. Symons reported a test of carrying on public spraying with 

 charges merely covering the cost and general expenses. The results were quite 



