320 



simpler to apply a cold solution of black soap (5 per cent.) and nicotine 

 (1 to 1| per cent, of titrated extract). This is a very active insecticide 

 applied directly to the larvae, and very effective as a preventive spray 

 during the oviposition period. These treatments are recommended in 

 view of the prohibition against arsenicals such as are used in America. 

 Fowls are frequently suggested as a help in clearing off the caterpillars, 

 but several cases of poisoning have occurred as a result of their eating 

 the insects. For small areas, the surest, safest and most economical 

 way is to inspect the cabbages every 2 or 3 days during the oviposition 

 period and crush the groups of eggs of P. brassicae, or collect and 

 crush the young larvae. 



Feytaud (J.). Le Proces du Moineau Domestique. [The Case of the 

 Domestic Sparrow.] — Bull. Soc. Etude Vulg. Zool. Agric, 

 Bordeaux, xvii, nos. 3-4, March- April 1918, pp. 31-32 & no. 5, 

 May 1918, pp. 41-47. 



The author gathers together in this paper many and varied opinions 

 of naturalists and others regarding the economic status of the domestic 

 sparrow. While some regard this bird solely as a pest and recom- 

 mend its destruction, others aver that it is at least as beneficial as 

 it is harmful, and advise its protection. In the author's opinion, the 

 position of this bird must remain doubtful. He considers that the 

 sparrow is noxious or beneficial according to circumstances, and that 

 while in normal times it may be given the benefit of the doubt, it 

 should nevertheless be watched, and if the cultural circumstances of 

 the region or of the moment, or an excessive increase in the numbers 

 of the birds, should render it noxious, steps should at once be taken 

 to check its depredations. Wh-ile the swallow, tomtit and nightingale 

 can be classed without hesitation as useful birds that should be pro- 

 tected by active propaganda and by the law, and while the sparrow- 

 hawk, the great horned owl and magpie can at once be condemned 

 as harmful, it is not possible to place the sparrow permanently in either 

 of these categories. It merits some protection as being sometimes 

 beneficial, and the question is raised as to the means by which too 

 proUfic an increase of it should be checked. In Alsace-Lorraine it 

 is the custom to keep down sparrows by preparing trap-nests for them 

 on the walls of houses ; the sparrows readily build there and the young 

 are destroyed in the nests. Whatever the means employed, sparrows 

 should be held in check, but care should be taken not to exterminate 

 them. 



LEGISLATION. 



Order relative to the Black Weevil Borer of Bananas. — Jamaica Gaz. 

 Extraordinary, 11th May 1918. 



By this order, the proclamation is revoked which ordered the 

 destruction by fire or otherwise of banana and plantain plants or 

 parts of plants infested with the black weevil borer {Cosmopolites 

 sordidus]. [See this Revieiv, Ser. A, iv, p. 320]. 



