Vol.XXVIII 

 1911 



Recent Literature. 509 



by the provision of nest-boxes in the plantations. Larch plantations are 

 singularly devoid of suitable nesting places for birds and they should 

 therefore be supplied. In England these insectivorous birds are not 

 sufficiently encouraged in places where nesting sites are absent by the 

 provision of nesting boxes, the value of which form of forest protection 

 has been recognized for a number of years in Continental forests. The 

 best type of nest-box is that designed by Baron von Berlepsch." 



In the Canadian paper Dr. Hewitt gives the results of actual trial of this 

 system of bird encouragement. " Nest boxes were distributed, an addi- 

 tional number being provided each year. Last year there were nearly 

 300 boxes and over 50% of these were occupied which indicates a consider- 

 able increase in the number of birds in view of the scarcity previous to their 

 encouragement. Such a system of bird protection .... is carried on in 

 Europe not only by individuals but also by those states in which the forests 

 are important natural resources." Dr. Hewitt is strongly of the opinion 

 that " If the natural means of control, such as birds, are encouraged and 

 it is upon these and the parasites that the extermination of the pest chiefly 

 depends, the attack will last for a much shorter length of time, and there 

 will ultimately be less pecuniary loss than if a policy of laisser faire be 

 adopted." 



It is of interest in this connection that Mr. Vernon Bailey of the Biologi- 

 cal Survey observed cuckoos and red-eyed vireos feeding on larvae of this 

 sawfly at Elk River, Minn., in July of the present year. Birds of several 

 other species were abundant in the infested region. Stomach examinations 

 show that the ruffed grouse, bobolink and least flycatcher feed upon this 

 or closely related larvae, and the range of these birds makes it probable 

 that they will prove to be fond of the larch sawfly larva?. — W. L. M. 



An Australian Bird Book. 1 — The interest in ornithology in Australia, 

 which resulted in the formation of the Australasian Ornithologists' Union 

 in' 1900, now finds its logical development, through the added stimulus 

 of cooperative effort, in the publication of works on Australian birds 

 designed to meet the wants of bird students of every class. Thus Mr. 

 Gregory M. Mathews is producing an elaborate folio with colored plates, 

 of which four parts have thus far appeared; Messrs. Lucas and Le Souef 

 have recently published a more convenient work, while the present 

 volume " is intended as a pocket-book for field use, so that the many 

 teachers, nature students, nature-lovers, schoolboys, schoolgirls and 

 boy scouts who like to ' see what they look at ' may be able to name the birds 

 they meet." 



1 An Australian Bird Book. A Pocket Book for Field Use. By J. A. Leach, 

 M. Sc. With Introduction by Frank Tate, M. A., I. S. O. Published by 

 Arrangement with the Education Department of Victoria. Melbourne, Whit- 

 combe and Tomb Limited. 1911. 12mo., pp. 200. Numerous colored and 

 half-tone figures. Price 3/6. 



