270 Recent Literature. [April 



Valuable Economic Reports. — Mr. E. H. Forbush, State Ornitholo- 

 gist of Massachusetts, in his annual report^ discusses a number of interesting 

 topics. The feeding and attracting of wild birds are discussed, and also the 

 apparent poisoning of birds by the excessive spraying of trees. The 

 Starling has reached several stations in Massachusetts and additional 

 evidence of its driving away native birds and taking possession of Flickers' 

 nests is presented. There is also an extended discussion as to the damage 

 done by Reedbirds to the rice crop of the South Atlantic States and the 

 shooting of the birds for market rather than as a protection to the rice. 

 The rice industry has for the most part moved westward to Louisiana add 

 the marketing of Reedbirds in South Carolina has greatly decreased in 

 recent years. 



Mr. W. L. Finley continues his reports as State Game-warden of Oregon, 

 in a series of monthly bulletins under title of ' The Oregon Sportsman,' ^ 

 while an exceedingly attractive brochure with many illustrations describes 

 the good work that he has accomphshed during 1911-1912.* 



Bird Enemies of the Philippine Locust.* — A report on this subject 

 by D. B. Mackie which we wish were more definite and detailed is never- 

 theless worth quoting because of the high rank it assigns to the bird enemies 

 of this notable pest. 



" Birds — There are no natural enemies which attack the locust so 

 persistently in all stages as birds. They often congregate where the locust 

 swarms are and remain for days or weeks at the swarm eating their fill as 

 often as they desire. Their importance as locust exterminators cannot 

 be too strongly emphasized. Unfortunately, many of our most persistent 

 locust feeders are not wary in their habits and are ruthlessly snared when- 

 ever chance offers. Investigations of the value of birds as locust feeders 

 are Umited to cases where individuals have been taken and their stomach 

 contents examined. 



" Twenty-four species of locust-eating birds have been identified, in 

 the following families: 



Turnicidse (1) Alcedinidae (4) 



Coraciidae (1) Corvidae (1) 



Ardeidge (2) Sylviida? (2) 



Falconidse (3) Fringillidae (2) 



Artamidse (1) Anatidse (2) 



Phasianidse (2) Cuculidaj (1) 



Meropidse (2) 



1 Fifth Annual Report of the State Ornithologist of the Massachusetts State 

 Board of Agriculture. By Edward Howe Forbush. 1912. January 8, 1913. 

 pp. 1-34. 



2 The Oregon Sportsman. Vol. I, Nos. 1-4. 



'Game and Fish Protection and Propagation in Oregon, 1911-1912. By 

 William L. Finley, State Game Warden, pp. 1-23. 



» Mackie, D. B., Philippine Agr. Review, VI, No. 11, Nov., 1913, p. 541. 



