V1 PREFACE. 
my power, both personally, and by continental and home corre- 
spondence. The very similar Phytoptus galls of the Nut, and 
the Phytoptus galls which much resemble blunt-pointed nails red 
or green in colour standing upright on Lime leaves, were more 
than usually noticed. Helworm presence was also worse than 
usual in respect of causing Tulip-root in Oats, and, as observed 
above, the mischief continues still in Clover. 
From various causes, the correspondence during the past 
year, which amounted approximately to about three thousand 
letters received, has been larger than in any preceding season ; 
but by special arrangements I kept it as steadily in hand as I 
was able, and I trust that if any enquirer was not at once 
attended to, he will kindly accept the above as the reason. 
Independently of insect matters, one chief point of in- 
terest of the year was the necessity of attending to the 
disastrous losses caused by the literally overwhelming amount 
of prevalence of one species of bird—the House Sparrow, 
Passer domesticus. I may mention that the leaflet compiled by 
myself (of evidence of the harm caused), with the valuable 
co-operation of Mr. Tegetmeier (Member of the British Ornitho- 
logists’ Union), has met such a large circulation (gratuitously, 
as it is still continued) that about 28,000 copies have been 
distributed at agricultural and other centres in this country, and 
especially by our parish clergy, also (officially) in most of our 
Australasian colonies, where the hap-hazard introduction of this 
bird has caused such boundless mischief. A mass of information 
comprised in many hundreds of letters to myself gives valuable 
evidence of the losses caused by this bird, and the documents 
are preserved for possible future publication. 
Once again, as in previous years, I have to acknowledge with 
erateful thanks the important assistance received in my work 
from almost all our leading agricultural journals, as well as from 
many on more general subjects; and my best thanks are also 
due for the exceedingly liberal donations of valuable publications 
of which I am very frequently in receipt. 
Of the illustrations in my present Annual Report I beg to 
acknowledge, with thanks, those at pp. 10, 21, 48, 58, 104, 120, 
and 126, as being by permission of Messrs. Blackie & Son, of 
Glasgow; the Magpie Moth with closed wings and caterpillar 
