282 



Among the two-winged flies, Dijytera, we have also our useful allies. The Tachina 

 flies whose history is very similar to that of the ichneumons, are very numerous, and 



they destroy immense numbers of caterpillars ; Fig. 38 

 illustrates one of these. The syrphus flies, elegant little 

 creatures with golden bands across their bodies (see Fig. 39), 

 deposit their eggs where plant lice are most numerous, and 

 their larvfe, which are blind, grope around searching for the 



Fig. 39. 



Fig. 40. 



defenceless lice, which they greedily devour (see Fig. 40). The dragon flies, Neuroptera, 

 are also worthy of mention, since they are great insect eaters, catching their pi*ey on the 

 wing and alighting to devour it. 



Insectivorous birds are also useful helpers, although not so important as insect 

 friends. Nearly all birds feed their young on insects, and hence, during the breeding 

 season, consume large numbers of them, but they devour alike the useful and the injurious, 

 the one as readily as the other, and are not at all discriminating in this important parti- 

 cular. From the observations thus far made it seems probable that birds do comparatively 

 iittle to keep down injurious insects ; that the even balance between the useful and the 

 noxious species, when disturbed by the overdue accumulation of the latter, is set right 

 mainly through the agency of friendly insects. This subject has not, however, been sufli- 

 oiently studied to enable one to speak positively concerning it. In the meantime let us 

 encourage the insectivorous birds, and do all we can to protect them. 



CONCLUSION. 



The delegates, in view of the information obtained at the several meetings of the 

 American Forestry Congress, beg leave to make the following recommendations : 



I. That such of the public lands as are more suitable for the growing of timber 

 than for agricultural purpose, be retained by Government as a part of the public domain. 



II. That within this timbered tract scattered portions be leased to persons suitable to 

 .act as forest police, to protect the timber lands from trespass, guard against fires, remove 

 fallen timber, and act under instructions. 



III. That no trees shall be cut, whether pine, spruce, hemlock, or hardwood, on any 

 of the public timber lands under fourteen inches in diameter at the stump. 



IV. That no cattle, sheep, or swine be allowed to roam at large in any of the public 

 woodlands. 



V. That the lighting of tires in or near any woods from May to October, inclusive, 

 be prohibited, under severe penalties. 



VI. That a general stock law be enacted, prohibiting cattle, sheep, and swine from 

 running at large in any part of the Province, unless the municipal council of any muni- 

 cipality shall pass a by-law authorizing their running at large within that municipality. 



VII. That encouragement be given to farmers to plant timber lots of not less than 

 ten acres on each farm of one hundred acres, and maintain the same as a timber lot, from 



