416 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [12:9-Dec, 1916 



The New Bird Laws 



All lovers of wild life are to be congratulated over the fact that 

 the new Federal Migratory Bird Law has been construed by the 

 regulations which were adopted and issued August 21, 19 16, in 

 such a way as will prevent all Spring shooting of water fowl. 

 Also to protect Band-tailed Pigeons, Cranes, Wood ducks, Swan, 

 Curlew, Willet, Upland Plover and the smaller shore birds until 

 September 1, 19 18, at which time it is to be hoped that those 

 having charge of these matters will have sense enough to extend 

 the closed season for Cranes, Wood ducks, Swan, Upland Plover, 

 Woodcock and similar birds indefinitely. 



Likewise bird lovers are to be congratulated over the fact of the 

 ratification of the United States — Canadian bird treaty which 

 protects 1022 species of migratory birds for all time. This is as 

 it should be a move in the right direction, and will result in an 

 estimable benefit to the agriculturists in both Canada and the 

 United States, if it is enforced without fear or favor as it should be. 



Both the new Federal Migratory Bird Law and the United 

 States-Canadian Bird Treaty referred to, make proper provisions 

 for reasonable scientific collecting. — R. M. Barnes, from The 

 Oologist. 



Observations on the Polyphemus Larva 

 A fine spec men of the polyphemus larva was placed in our insect 

 cage. It began spinning in an upper corner, but fell after putting 

 quite a heavy coating of silk on the top and the sides. The next 

 morning it had spun considerable of a new cocoon in a lower 

 corner, the silk being fastened to the cage and a glass that held 

 leaves. This glass being taken up, the web was broken, which 

 caused the larva to abandon that place. The following morning, 

 the larva had begun a new cocoon, this time by the side of a cup 

 fastening the web to the side of the cage and the cup letting it rest 

 on the bottom of the cage. 



Having lost much silk in its previous efforts, the larva was able 

 only to make a bed, quite a capacious one though. It was lying 

 in this on its back, the next, or fourth morning, with the cast 

 skin by its side. It looked just as before, except a slight tinge 

 of pink on the abdominal segments, a very small spot though. 

 This gradually spread during the day, that colored first slowly, 

 getting darker. By evening, the outline of the moth became 



