604 GARDEN AND ESTATE FRIENDS 



attacking corn or maize seed is to dip the seed in tar before sow- 

 ing. (See Journal of Economic Entomology, Aug. 1909). 



Sparrows and other birds. Where these abound in great 

 numbers they are a most destructive pest. They have a special 

 fondness for tender annuals, and in a short time will do consider- 

 able damage by clearing off young seedlings. Stringing the seed- 

 beds or rows with black cotton has often the effect of scaring them 

 off, but nets are about the only reliable protection against them. In 

 the case of seed-beds, it is recommended to dress the seeds, before 

 sowing, with red-lead made into a thin paste with water. Among 

 other grain-feeding birds, MR. GREEN gives the following as the 

 principal ones for Ceylon : Weaver Bird (Ploceus philippinus), 

 Black-bellied Mania (Mnnia Malacca], Spotted Munia (Munia 

 pnnclata], White-backed Munia (Munia striata], Brown Munia 

 (Munia nialabarica}, Ceylonese Lorikeet (Loriculus indicus), 

 Alexandrine Parakeet (Palceornis eupatnns}, Rose-ringed Parakeet 

 (Pala'ornis torqualus). 



Thieves. These form a pest against which constant watch has 

 to be kept. Unlike the other pests named, their depredations are not 

 confined to edible products, but include anything movable. Catch- 

 ing them in the act and the infliction of a suitable punishment is 

 not, unfortunately, always an effectual deterrent. Fruit crops 

 especially, such as coconuts, cocoa, etc., are liable to attack by 

 night thieves, and the employment of night-watchers is therefore 

 indispensable. Dried coconut leaves tied round the stems of the 

 trees (as often adopted in the low-country), give a loud rustling 

 noise if a person attempt to climb the latter, and so give a warning 

 of the presence of pilferers. 



GARDEN AND ESTATE FRIENDS 



Injurious insects, fortunately, have natural enemies which 

 usually keep them in check, thus maintaining a balance in Nature. 

 These should be encouraged, and may sometimes be introduced 

 with success when not already present. The following are 

 among the worst enemies of insects, and are therefore the best 

 friends of gardens and estates. (See Carnivorous insects}. 



Insectivorous birds. These play an important part in the 

 prevention of insect pests by feeding on grubs, caterpillars, etc. 

 It has been estimated that one bird, on an average, will consume at 

 least fifty caterpillars a day, so that a family of five would account 



