bZO Recent Literature. loct. 



recent writer on the subject notes 1 that: "Birds, chiefly the woodpeckers, 

 are the most important of the predatory enemies. It is not uncommon 

 to find infested trees where these birds have removed from one-half to 

 two-thirds of the larvae and adults during a single winter." 



Semitropical Army Worm (Xylomyges eridania) : This insect has de- 

 veloped into a serious enemy of agriculture in Florida within the last few 

 years and although complete studies of its habits and enemies have not yet 

 been made, it has been learned that birds including the Bobwhite, Boat- 

 tailed Grackle, Meadowlark, Bobolink and Loggerhead Shrike feed upon 

 it to a very noticeable extent. 2 



Earwig (Forficula auricularia) : This species which has been introduced 

 into Rhode Island where it has become numerous, spread and done con- 

 siderable damage is treated in an article by an Enghsh author who has 

 collected 3 the records of its capture by British wild birds. Summing 

 them up he finds that 13 species of birds are known to have captured 

 earwigs, most of them sparingly. Similarly there are only a few records 

 of American birds eating these insects but in considering such cases there 

 should be kept in mind the proportion these small groups bear to all of 

 the food available to birds. The earwigs are a very insignificant part of 

 the insect fauna of either England or the United States and no surprise 

 should be felt, therefore, that they are not more often eaten by birds. — 

 W. L. M. 



The Bird Interest in Iowa Lakes. — A report valuable not only for 

 its findings and recommendations, but especially as a voucher of deep 

 public interest in the subject, is that upon Iowa Lakes and Lake Beds 

 by the State Highway Commission. (250 pp. 1917.) In the first place 

 it is most encouraging to note that in nine-tenths or more of the cases 

 retention and improvement of the lakes is recommended. The Com- 

 mission has wisely resisted clamor by drainage advocates and consider- 

 ing the rights of the entire public has in consequence adopted a policy of 

 conservation. In nearly every case, the report states, in which the drain- 

 age of a lake has been petitioned, the great damage caused to crops by 

 blackbirds which congregate in the vicinity of the lake has been set forth 

 as one of the principal reasons why drainage was desired. A careful 

 field investigation of these depredations was made by the State Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station and the following conclusions reached: (1) 

 Slight damage is done to sprouting corn and that in very limited areas 

 near nesting colonies of birds; (2) Damage to small grains is confined to 

 the season they are in shock, is serious only when the shocks are left ex- 

 posed a long time, and is restricted to small areas near groves, sloughs 



1 Hess, Walter N., Mem. 33, Cornell Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., May, 1920, p. 379. 

 2 Berger, E. W. Quart. Bui. State Plant Bd. Fla., Vol. 4, No. 2, Jan. 1920 

 pp. 27-28. 



3 Brindley, H. H., Proc. Cambridge Phil. Soc, Vol. 19, 1918, pp. 175-177. 



