508 Recent Literature. [bet. 



possibly small birds like sparrows would pick a few of them off the cabbage 

 plants, but our information is not very definite or satisfactory." Flea 

 beetles as well as all other Chrysomelidae, although classed as specially 

 protected insects by supporters of the theories of mimicry and other 

 phases of protective coloration, certainly are eaten by many birds. To 

 cite instances of only a few genera of flea beetles alone, beetles of the genus 

 PhyUotreta are at present known to be eaten by 5 species of birds, Haltica 

 by ten, Epilrix by 12, Systena by 21 and Crepidodera by 26 species. Mr. 

 Sherman notes a locality where English sparrows usually keep in check 

 the harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) . The same bird also does good 

 work by eating cabbage worms (Pontia rapce). 



The larch sawfly (Nematus erichsoni) of which there have been serious 

 periodical outbreaks in the United States since 1881, has defoliated thou- 

 sands of acres of larch or tamarack in southern Canada, Michigan and 

 Minnesota, during the present season. Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, Dominion 

 Entomologist , gave a lecture on the pest before a meeting of the Canadian 

 Forestry Association in January, 1911, 1 in the course of which he empha- 

 sized the normal impracticability of directly combatting the insect. This 

 condition makes the work of natural enemies of paramount importance. 

 In commenting on the results of a study of the sawfly problem in England, 

 Dr. Hewitt gives first rank among natural enemies to a parasitic Ichneu- 

 monid. " The chief of the other potent natural causes were the small 

 voles or field mice and the birds, especially the tits." A paper 2 published 

 in England by Dr. Hewitt gives further details regarding bird enemies: 

 " When the larvae were in the earlier stages it was found that the three 

 species of Tits — the Great Tit, Cole Tit, and Blue Tit — fed upon them to 

 a considerable extent. They were also assisted by Chaffinches, which were 

 found feeding on the full grown larvae. In addition to these birds, which 

 perform no little service, great destruction of the larvae was effected by the 

 Rooks, Jackdaws, and Starlings which were to be seen in large flocks in 

 and about the more seriously attacked plantations. They not only fed 

 upon the larvae on the trees but also followed them on the ground when 

 about to spin their cocoons beneath the turf. When the larvae had 

 reached this stage one frequently found that the rooks had riddled the 

 turf round the bases of the trees with holes in search of the larvae." 



The natural means of control can be assisted and augmented, " and 

 such is the case with regard to the birds which have been mentioned as 

 feeding on the larvae; chief of these are rooks, jackdaws, and tits. In the 

 districts where the trees are badly attacked these birds should not be 

 destroyed on any account. The starlings and tits should be encouraged 

 and protected by feeding them during the winter and thus prevent the 

 customary great mortality which results from hard weather, and also 



1 The Spruce Bud worm and Larch Sawfly. Kingston, Ont., 1911. 8 pp. 



2 Reprint from Journ. Bd. Agr., [London], XV, No. 9, Dec, 1908, 12 pp. 



