1913 J Recent Literature. 129 



found remains of this species in bird droppings at Stuttgart, Ark. One of 

 two perfect specimens of the weevil, removed from droppings was found to 

 be alive. This observation parallels that recorded by Osborn 1 that a 

 living specimen of another species of weevil (Macrops lineatulus), was found 

 alive in bird excrement. 



A third species of weevil, the plum curculio, is comprehensively mono- 

 graphed in Bull. 103 of the Bureau of Entomology (July 13, 1912, 250 pp.). 

 This important pest, which causes an annual loss of several million dollars, 

 has numerous natural enemies among which are 7 species of birds. As early 

 as 1S65, Dr. Isaac Trimble recorded that the Baltimore Oriole feeds on this 

 insect. Investigations by the Biological Survey have confirmed this ob- 

 servation and have added the following names of bird enemies of the plum 

 curculio : Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Bank Swallow, Yellow- 

 throated Vireo, Veen% and Hermit Thrush. 



In Bulletin 106, 2 "The life history and bionomics of some North Ameri- 

 can ticks," notes are given on the bird enemies of 5 species of these pests. 

 Most of the records refer to enemies of the North American cattle tick. 

 In this connection. Pycraft is quoted relative to the depraved habit of the 

 African Oxpecker (Buphaga africana) of enlarging and feeding at holes in 

 the hides of cattle from which it has removed ticks. This publication also 

 gives many records of the occurrence of ticks upon birds. 



Five bird enemies of the spring grain aphis or green bug are mentioned 

 by F. M. Webster and W. J. Philhps in their bulletin 3 on that insect. 

 These records were furnished by the Biological Survey and are part of the 

 results of an investigation of the relations of birds to the green bug carried 

 on at Winston-Salem, N. C, in 1909. A full account of this study will be 

 published in the next Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture. 



The first general economic treatment of an interesting group of insects, 

 is Professor Herbert Osborn's "Leafhoppers affecting cereals, grasses, and 

 forage crops (Bull. 108, Sept., 1912). More than 12 pages are devoted to a 

 discussion of the natural enemies, 9 of them to birds. A tabulation is given 

 of all the records (up to Jan., 1912) of leafhoppers found in bird stomachs 

 by the Biological Survey. 



The Biological Survey records show that 770 stomachs out of a total 

 of about 47,000 examined contained leafhoppers, a proportion of about 

 1 in 61. Numerous species of birds are shown to eat comparatively high 

 percentages of Jassida? as Setophaga ruticilla. 13; (based on 17 stomach 

 contents), Polioptila ccerulea, 7.17 (39 stomachs), Polioptila californica, 11 

 (31), Sitta pygmaea, 43 (32), Aimophila ruficeps, 2.6 (25), Passer herbulus 

 caudacutus, 6 (44), Calypte anna 5.3 (111), Dendroica astiva, 3.7 (116), 

 Lanivireo solitarius, 6 (47), Rcgulus calendula, 5.7 (300), Tachycineta 

 thalassina, 7.62 (SO), Tclmatodytcs palustris, 4.55, (59), Thryomanes bewicki, 



\\ stern stock Journ. & Farmer. 10 p. 101, May, 1880. 

 1 Hooker, W. Pi.. Bishopp, P. C, and Wood, H. P.. September. 1912. 

 l Hi. September, L912. 



