345 



very marked insectivorous habits it was introduced toward the middle 

 of the last century into the island of Mauritius where, protected by an 

 efflcient law, it was easily acclimated. To this bird is credited the com- 

 plete cessation of the locust irruptions in Mauritius as well as the sub- 

 sequent immunity enjoyed there from various other insect pests. In 

 view of this experience, efforts have been made to introduce this useful 

 bird into Algeria, where, in spite of all efforts the locust depredations 

 threaten to become permanent. In the Revue des Sciences Naturelles 

 Appliquees (vol. 37, No. 9, May, 18110, pi). 404-415), Mr. L. Magaud d'Au- 

 busson gives an account of the attempts undertaken in 1867 and 1868, 

 but more especially of a third one undertaken on a large scale by order 

 the French secretary of agriculture. These attempts have hith- 

 erto ended in failure, the principal reason being the rigor of the Alge- 

 rian winter. In spite of all possible care, only a few of the birds 

 survived the first winter, and these died during the second winter. 

 Moreover, during these two years, no pairing and no nest building took 

 place among the birds. Mr. d'Aubusson strongly advocates a contin- 

 uation of these efforts to acclimatize the Meina, or to substitute for it 

 another insectivorous bird, the Pastor roseus, which is widely distrib- 

 uted in Central Asia and Southeastern Euroj^e. We hope that these 

 efforts will ultimately be crowned with success, for it is possible that in 

 their success there may be some practical outcome for our country, 

 where, also, the severity of the winter would prevent the simple intro- 

 duction and acclimatization of this semi-tropical bird. 



NOTES ON MISCELLANEOUS FRUIT INSECTS. 



The following insects have been observed depredating upon the Straw- 

 berry, they not having been previously recorded, so far as known to the 

 writer, as affecting this plant. 



Anomala hinotata: Observed feeding on the blossoms in May. Pyro- 

 philapyramidoides: Larvae observed feeding on the underside of leaves, 

 May 13. These larvae were quite young, but were fed in confinement 

 on strawberry leaves, until nearly full grown. Arctia Isabella: Cater- 

 pillars observed during September, in considerable numbers, feeding on 

 the foliage. 



Emphytus maculatus: The females were observed at La Fayette, ovi- 

 positing in plants, April 18, and in the same place where this occurred, 

 larvae were found on May 20. At La Porte, Indiana,about 70 miles north 

 of La Fayette, larvae were found in the garden of Hon. E. H. Scott, in 

 great abundance on July 4. 



Eyphantria textor : Larvae found feeding on the fruit of raspberries at 

 Franklin, Indiana,on Juue25. JEupithecia miser ulata: Larvae eating into 

 the fruit of raspberry were repeatedly observed at La Fayette during 

 June, some times in considerable numbers. Q^canthus niveus: In March 

 a quantity of raspberry canes, containing great numbers of eggs of this 

 species, were collected and placed in breeding cage. Late in May, a 



