ig'oG J Recent Literature. 119 



4840, representing about 135 species. The eight colored plates relate 

 exclusively to the eggs of the Great Auk, seven of which and a cast of 

 another are figured, the accompanying text occupying pages 364-384. 

 It is a matter for sincere congratulation that Mr. Wolley's valuable field 

 notes and records are finally being made accessible, and given permanent 

 form in a manner so attractive and under such competent editorship. — 

 J. A. A. 



Economic Ornithology. — The ravages of the cotton boll weevil in Texas 

 during the last few years and its prospective extension into other cotton- 

 growing districts has led the Biological Survey to undertake investigations 

 to determine what species of birds feed upon this weevil and to what extent 

 they are likely to prove a check upon its increase. The preliminary results 

 thus far reached have been summarized by Mr. Vernon Bailey, in a special 

 report, 1 based on the examination of the stomachs of a large number of 

 birds collected in and around the cotton fields, chiefly in the month of 

 November, 1904, in southern Texas. The weevils were found in the stom- 

 achs of about a dozen species of birds, out of about 38 species examined, 

 usually in small numbers, but in sufficient quantity to show that the effi- 

 cient protection of insectivorous birds is of considerable importance to cot- 

 ton-growers. 



The economic relations of the Bob-white and other quails of the United 

 States is the subject of a report by the late Dr. Judd, published also as a 

 'Bulletin' of the Biological Survey. 2 The eastern Bobwhite and its sub- 

 species, here treated collectively, occupies, quite naturally, about ^wo 

 thirds of the report, the species of the Southwest the remaining third. 

 There are two plates by Fuertes, one of 'Bobwhite in a potato field,' the 

 other of the 'Gambel quail.' The first is colored and serves as an attrac- 

 tive frontispiece. Various text cuts illustrate the seeds of different weeds 

 that are a pest to the farmer, tons of the seeds of which are destroyed an- 

 nually by Bobwhite. This bird is considered (1) as an ally of the farmer, 

 (2) as an asset of the farm, (3) as an article of food, (4) as an object of 

 sport, (5) in relation to its esthetic value; several pages are also devoted to 

 measures for its preservation and propagation, and about fifteen pages to 

 a detailed account of its food habits. About 53 per cent of its food con- 

 sists of seeds, chiefly those of plants injurious to agriculture. An addi- 

 tional 15 per cent is insects, which includes such noxious species as the 

 potato beetle, chinch bug, weevils of various species, cutworms, grass- 

 hoppers, and many others. The remainder of its food consists mainly 



. "Birds known to eat the Boll Weavil. By Vernon Bailey. Chief Field-Natura- 

 list, Biological Survey. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological Survey, Bulletin 

 No. 22, 8vo, pp. 16, 1905. 



2 The Bobwhite and other Quails of the United States in their Economic Relations 

 By Sylvester D. Judd, Assistant, Biological Survey. U. S. Department of Agricul 

 tun-, Bureau of Biological Survey, Bulletin No. 21. 8vo, pp. 66, 1905. 



