Proceedings, 1!)1:>. 41 



balance of uatiire. Such being the case, it is tlie duty of scientific societies, such as 

 tills one, to protest to tlie Government against perniissioQ being granted to introduce 

 an.v exotic birds into this country, eitlier from aesthetic or economic considerations. 



Jlr. Tom Wilson : On the North Thompson the grouse is a destructive bird in 

 orchards, as it attacks growing buds of trees. Pheasants are also a cur.se. and this 

 is accentuated by the fact that they are not allowed to be shot except in season. 

 I am a little opposed to the introduction of birds into the Province, and partly also 

 to game birds. 



Mr. Cunningham: In confirmation of Mr. Wilson's remarlis, I wish to evidence 

 the importance of destroying wild crab-apple on the Island and around Vancouver. 

 These trees breed the oyster-shell scale. A few years ago I advocated this, but a 

 great protest arose, accompanied by press writing. The extermination of wild crabs 

 would materially affect the grouse, which feed on these trees. The fruit-grower was 

 not considered. 



Mr. McCubbin : There is also, I believe, a bounty on horned owls. These birds 

 prey on mice and rats. They also destroy these game birds. 



Jlr. Tom Wilson : I recollect an instance when 75 per cent, of an orchard was 

 girdled b.v mice and the man obtained good money for owls. 



Mr. Taylor : This bounty on owls has since been removed. In regard to the 

 mice question, in 120 acres a man had to replant 60 acres. This was not, however, 

 the fault of the owls ; the orchard was in poor shape. The starling in England is a 

 fairl.v harmless bird. When introduced into Australia and New Zealand it began 

 to feed on grapes, the natural food being absent. Cecil Rhodes in South Africa 

 introduced the same bird. In six years it spread enormously and fed again on the 

 grape. There is now a bounty on starlings in that country. 



Mr. Cree.se : I must sa.v a word to support the blue-tit. In England this liird 

 feeds on woolly aphis and the currant bu<l-mite. It will also attack eggs of insects 

 in winter. 



Mr. Taylor : Quite true. Possibly 05 per cent, good and 5 per cent, harm ; but 

 to me there appears to be no ob.iect obtained in this country. The native chickadee 

 belongs to the same genus and has the same habits; wh.v not patronize thrni'/ 

 Besrdes, the blue-tit may become dangerous. 



Mr. Day: I quite agree with the folly of upsetting nature. 



Mr. Winslow: Our Department in Victoria when asked for an ojiini^n replied 

 that, while we admitted the sentimental gain, we took the stand that the po.ssib]e 

 harm outweighed the possible good. 



A member: Why not protest against the granting of permits? 



Mr. Day : It is now too late to make any protest. We might draw uii a resolu- 

 tion to present later. 



It was moved and seconded, " That this Societ.v, in view of recent researches 

 into the economic value of introduced birds in other countries, disapproves of the 

 practice of granting permits for the introduction of any exotic birds in this Province." 

 Carried unanimously. 



THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF CANADIAN IPIDAE. 



By J. M. SwAI^'E. Dominion Division of Entomoi.oov, Assist,\nt Kntomologlst 

 FOR Forest Insects. 



Among the Canadian species of the family Ipidie (bark-beetle and ambrosia- 

 beetle) are many of greater or less economic importance. Their destructive activi- 

 'ties are along several lines in accord with their varied habits. 



The bark-beetles breed in the inner bark or between the bark and the wood of 

 health.v or dying trees. A few species prefer living trees ; others prefer dying bark, 

 but attack and kill green timber when in immense numbers; and still others are 

 found almost solely in rai)idl.v dying bark, or with a few species in bark that is dead 

 and fairly dry: botli coniferous and deciduous trees are attacked, but the former 



