Some Insect Pests of the Sugar-Cane. 13 
conditions of insect infestation, it is more than probable that it is the cause of 
heavy loss. Thisdry trash about the cane can in nocase protect it from the attack 
of the insects in question here. On the contrary, it is a shelter and protection for 
them from their vigilant enemies, the birds, and directly helps to propagate the 
infestation. And if it be argued that this trash about the cane is the natural 
condition, it is obvious that insect infestation is equally so, the only really 
unnatural part being that of the cultivation itself with the minimum of other 
growth aboutit. The worst cases of insect infestation observed in old canes have 
always been in fields densely crowded with dry trash, where, too, the rind-fungus 
has been worse, following the small moth-borer and the mealy-bug, which have 
perforated the cane throughout its growth. , 
It is of course likely that careless trashing, with the result of tearing the surface 
at the joints, would render the cane more subject to rind-fungus attack, but where 
dry trashing is practised, this does not appear to be the case ; while , on the other 
hand, severe insect infestation means a multiplicity of perforations for the 
entrance of rind-fungus. A series of field tests over large areas of the general 
cultivation would be of very great value if they were carried out, and repeated, 
to eliminate accidental and varying conditions. Small experimental plots, more 
easily open to light and air, especially in the neighbourhood of trees or high 
cultivation from which there might be marked control by birds over the cane pests 
in such plots, whether trashed or untrashed, can hardly be regarded as satisfactory 
for such purposes. 
The value of bird life in the control of insects is one that can scarcely be over- 
estimated, especially in this tropical district in which there is so large a propor- 
tion of the birds wholly or largely insectivorous ; and this is well exemplified in the 
canefields in connection with those that feed on the day-flying moth of the giant 
borer. The common barred chicken-hawk, the cream-headed chicken-hawk, the 
criketty hawk, the red crab-hawk, the common kiskadi, the smaller kiskadi, the 
solitary tyrant-shrike (“‘ flycatcher ”’), the common mufi-bird, and the old-witch, 
all do very good service in this way ; and the more active of them, such as the 
kiskadis and the smaller hawks, will often be seen in. pursuit of moths, which 
have been disturbed by the gang of people employed in catching them. But for 
the birds many of these would certainly escape. 
It is in the fields lately cropped that these birds can do the most destruction, 
before the growth of the plants provides good shelter for the insects ; and here 
they will be seen flying about, perching on every point of vantage in or around the 
field, and frequently (as in the case of the old witch, especially) on the ground. On 
estates generally, encouragement is being given to these helpers in the form of 
perches set up in the fields, and in a fewcases by the wiser planting of trees. Much 
might be done by the planting of suitable fruit and other trees along thedams and 
waste places, and in the wide area of the cultivation itself, to utilise to its utmost 
this great natural assistance, which is continuously at work. Large numbers of 
other birds might thus be brought into service by this provision of part diet, and 
shelter for cover and nesting. Miscellaneous fruit trees would help to keep the 
mixed feeders in the district, where they would be available for the control of 
insects ; and sufficient cover for nesting would be even more helpful since the 
greatest destruction of insects takes place while the young birds are being reared. 
