250 Economic Section. [isfXn. 



ones, they have decided that the " Scrub-Magpie " is a bird that 

 should, if possible, be exterminated. 



The Plain-Turkey {Eiipodotis aiistralis). — This bird, also known 

 as the Australian Bustard, has been reported to be again a 

 notorious propagator of the prickly pear by distributing its seeds ; 

 but no mention has been made of its eminent service in consuming 

 vast numbers of grasshoppers and even larger " vermin." 



Exotic Animals — Proposed Introduction. — (i) Rats. — In order 

 to control the rat plague, so serious in our northern sugar-cane 

 plantations — those of the Mossman area especially — a proposal 

 has been made to take steps to cause Australian species of Owls 

 to congregate there, as well as to import rodent-capturing species 

 from the United States, in order to supplement the efforts of our 

 own birds in rat destruction. In a lengthy memorandum sub- 

 mitted in September, 1918, grounds were set forth that tended 

 to show that this proposal was in one respect impracticable, and 

 that, with regard to the other, it was not likely to be attended by 

 practical results in securing the end in view. 



Birds and the Tick Pest. — A former resident of Brisbane- — a 

 technical chemist, the late Leon Hermann — several years since 

 suggested inquiry regarding the cattle-tick-eating habits of a 

 special Egret that he had observed when living in Madagascar, 

 and whose services therefore might, if thought fit, be possibly 

 utilized in controlling this " pest " in Queensland also. . . 

 Preliminary steps to secure living examples of these birds have 

 temporarily failed, owing to disturbance in oversea relations with 

 Madagascar consequent on the war ; but, recognizing that, the 

 tick-eating habit on the part of Egrets is not confined to 

 Madagascar, but is exhibited by Ardeidce in West and East Africa 

 alike, we have suggested that, failing Madagascar as a source for 

 them, Natal might be drawn upon, since it has furnished two 

 tick-consuming species — viz., the Little Egret {Herodias garzetta) 

 and the Buff-backed Egret {Herodias raUoides). We have also 

 instituted inquiries regarding the character and constitution of 

 the Garceros or Egret preserves of Venezuela that might be of 

 service in realizing the project of acclimatizing these tick-eating 

 birds in Queensland. 



Reference is also made to the destructivcness of certain intro- 

 duced birds, to the results of inquiries into the charge that the 

 Scrub-Turkey {Cathetimis lathanii) spreads prickly pear {Opuntia, 

 sp.), and to a request made by bird-lovers for the total protection 

 of the Redwing {PHstes) and King (Aprosmidiis) Parrots. This 

 request was not supported by Mr. Tryon. 



The report also contains the following note relative to birds 

 and bush-fires : — " The greatest enemy to our native birds — one 

 that seems to be lost sight of — is the bush-fire, that may extend 

 continuously for miles and miles through country that many of 

 the more useful ones frequent for nesting purposes. Not only 

 are thus the ground-loving species, with their young or eggs, burnt 

 or smothered in their nests, but with a ' good burn ' (how fateful 



