Vol 'l9^ XV ] Recent Literature. 371 



Hen colony on Martha's Vineyard by fires which swept the island in May 

 1916. Starlings come in for a good deal of attention and in connection 

 with the roosting of this species and the Blackbirds in shade trees, which 

 habit often proves a nuisance, a novel method is described for driving 

 them away. A heavy pad is fastened to the trunk of a tree which is then 

 struck several times with a large sledge hammer. By repeating this for 

 several nights the birds become discouraged and leave. 



Mr. W. S. Taylor 1 has prepared a bulletin on the Bobwhite in Texas, 

 which however, is much broader than its title would imply, being an 

 admirable plea for the protection of game in the state, with information 

 regarding bird conservation work in the schools and lists of publications 

 available for study. 



The U. S. Biological Survey has issued two pamphlets recently, one by 

 the late Prof. Beal 2 dealing with the food habits of the swallows which 

 follows the plan of other similar publications issued by the Survey. The 

 large numbers of dragonflies eaten by the Purple Martin leads the author 

 to think that the birds must search especially for them. As a matter of 

 fact along the coast of New Jersey where the Martins nest regularly they 

 forage naturally over the great expanse of salt marshes where dragonflies 

 abound, and it would seem difficult for the birds to avoid catching them. 

 The other paper referred to is by Dr. Oberholser 3 on the breeding grounds 

 of the water fowl on the Great Plains. This is a plea for the protection of 

 the few suitable breeding grounds still remaining for these birds if we would 

 save them from extermination. The Sand-Hill Region of Nebraska and 

 the Lake Region of the Dakotas are especially considered as offering ideal 

 conditions. 



The admirable ' Biennial Report of the Department of Conservation of 

 Louisiana ', 4 contains the reports of E. A. Mcllhenny, Superintendent of the 

 State Game Farm and of S. C. Arthur, State Ornithologist which are full of 

 valuable information. The fact that Night Herons, or ' gros bees ' as 

 they are locally termed, are regarded as legitimate game in the state and 

 form an important item of food for the residents of many of the bayous 

 will be news to most persons outside the boundaries of Louisiana. 



Wallace Craig 5 has recently prepared a valuable series of directions for 

 making a wire bird cage which will be welcome to many who have tempo- 

 rary use for some sort of receptacle in which live birds may be kept safely. — 

 W. S. 



i The Bobwhite. By W. S. Taylor. Univ. of Texas Bulletin, No. 174S. August, 1917. 



2 Food Habits of the Swallows. By F. E. L. Beal. U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bull. 619. 

 March 8, 1918. pp. 1-28. 



3 The Great Plains Waterfowl Breeding Grounds and their Protection. By Harry C. 

 Oberholser. Yearbook of the Dept. of Agriculture 1917. Separate from the No. 723, 

 pp. 1-10. 



4 Biennial Beport of the Department of Conservation State of Louisiana from April 1, 

 1916 to April 1, 1918. pp. 1-1S0. M. L. Alexander, Commissioner. 



6 Directions for Making a Metal Bird-Cage. By Wallace Craig. Beprint from The 

 Avicultural Magazine. August, 1917, pp. 1-6. 



