24 



by Hylobius abietis, L. ; trap trenches round the plantations, which 

 should not be renewed for two or three years after cutting ; grubbing 

 the stumps ; trap-logs and smearing the young trees with some 

 adhesive substance for two-thirds of their height. Fig trees attacked 

 by Rhopalosiphum dianthi, Schr. ; washing the diseased plants with 

 a solution of 1 lb. of soap in 3 gallons of water, or spraying with a 

 solution of 1 lb. of tobacco extract in 3-4| gallons of water. 



CoLLTNGE (W. E.). A preliminary report upon the economic status of 

 the British species of woodpeckers and their relation to forestry. — 

 Jl. Bd. Agric, London, xxii, no. 8, November 1915, pp. 789-791. 



The three woodpeckers of the British Isles, viz., De7idrocopus major, 

 L. (great spotted woodpecker), Dendrocopus minor, L. (lesser spotted 

 woodpecker) and Gecinus viridis, L. (green woodpecker) are dealt with 

 in this preliminary report, the majority of the observations having 

 been made on the last-named species. The stomach contents of 91 

 specimens were examined and fully 75 per cent, of the food was found 

 to consist of injurious insects, the principal species being : Cryjito- 

 nhynchus laputhi, L. (osier weevil), Hylobius abietis, F. (pine weevil), 

 various species of Ips {Tomicus), Myelophilus piniperda, L. (pine 

 beetle), Hyhsimis fraxini, Pz. (ash bark beetle), Scolytus destructor, 

 Oliv. (elm bark beetle), Hylastes ater, Payk. (black pine beetle), the 

 Longicorns, Saperda populnea, L. and Rhagium bifasciattmi, F. 

 Sinodendron cylindricum.. F., Xyleborus dispar, F. (shot-borer beetle), 

 the larvae of Rhyacionia {Retinia) buoliana, Schiff. (pine-shoot moth), 

 Aegeria. {Sesia) culiciformis (birch clearwing moth) and Zeuzera 

 pyrina, L. (wood leopard moth) have also occurred. Of the remaining 

 25 per cent, of food, quite 20 per cent, consisted of ants. A careful 

 investigation, extending over two years, has shown that of upwards 

 of 100 trees attacked by these birds not a single one was previously 

 sound. In one case more than 1,300 beetles were found in the 

 stomach, in another, 1,100, and from 300 to 800 were common. Of 

 the larvae of the larger timber-destroying beetles, the remains of 

 57 examples of R. bifasciatum were found in one bird. The stomach 

 contents of two nestlings of G. viridis consisted entirely of beetle 

 larvae. No definite conclusions could be drawn from the few examples 

 of faeces of birds in the wild state, which were obtained with difficulty, 

 but so far, only insect remains were discovered, and there was no 

 evidence to support the view, held by some foresters, that woodpeckers 

 disseminate the seeds of weeds. There is no doubt, as a result of these 

 investigations, that woodpeckers are distinctly beneficial to British 

 forestry. 



Notice Regarding the Importation of Plants and Seeds into the Uganda 

 Protectorate. — Kampala, 19th August 1915. [Received 27th 

 November 1915.] 



The following recapitulation of the regulations in force governing 

 the importation of plants is published for general information. A 

 " plant " includes growing plants, cuttings, buds, bulbs, seeds, roots, 

 and fruits and vegetables intended for propagation. All plants 

 imported must be fumigated by the Government Entomologist, 



