A FROGHOPPER ON SUGAR-CANE IN BRITISH GUIANA. 169 



and parasites in my breeding cages. In every case, however, the nymphs were found 

 untouched. 



(8) Heza peramata, Kirby. A family of nymphs of this large Reduviid was found 

 at Ogle in the axil of a cane leaf. They readily ate froghoppers in confinement 

 and most probably do so in the field, as the position in which they were f ound is that 

 frequently sought for by the adult froghoppers. They were not introduced into 

 Trinidad, as Mr. Urich, Entomologist to the Board of Agriculture, Trinidad, informed 

 me that they already occurred there. 



(9) Zelus mimus, Stal. The species is smaller and more active than the previous 

 one and was frequently seen flying about and resting on the short grass along the 

 drains in the cane-fields. It was observed on several occasions feeding on froghoppers 

 in the wild state. Mr. Urich informed me that this species also is known in Trinidad. 



(10) Pfiugis manlispa, Bol. This active predaceous grasshopper was not uncommon 

 in the traces between the cane-fields. It was already known in Trinidad as a frog- 

 hopper enemy, but does not seem to frequent the cane-plots to any great extent. 



(11) Xiphidium propinquum, Redt. This grasshopper, which is largely insecti- 

 vorous, was abundant on most of the sugar-cane estates. Like the last species, 

 however, it is mostly confined to the grass on the traces. On several occasions it was 

 seen to eat adult froghoppers, but on the other hand the newly hatched Xiphidium 

 were found to eat readily small parasitic Hymenoptera, including the vermilion egg- 

 parasite (see above), and the same grasshopper was found damaging the flowers of 

 rice at the Georgetown Botanic Gardens. A related species of Xiphidium was studied 

 in Hawaii and found to be partly vegetarian and partly predaceous, including among 

 its prey the sugar-cane leaf -hopper. 



(12) Lizards appeared to be more abundant in the cane-fields here than in 

 Trinidad ; this may be partly due to the scarcity of the mongoose (see below). 



(13) Birds. The following birds occurring in British Guiana were seen on the 

 sugar-cane fields there or have since been proved by dissection in Trinidad to feed 

 on froghoppers : — 



Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers). 



Tyranmis melancholicus (Grey-headed Kiskadee). 

 Muscivora tyranmis (Scissors-tail Flycatcher). 

 Fluvicoh pica (Cotton Bird, Widow). 

 Arundinicola Uucocephala (White-headed Widow). 



CUCULIDAE (Cuckoos). 



Crotophaga ani (Old Witch Bird, Tick Bird). 



Icteridae (Mocking Birds). 



Icterus xanthorous (Yellow Plaintain Bird, Carouge). 

 Quisqualus lugubris (Boat-tail, Black Bird, Golden Eye). 



Fringillidae (Finches). 



Vohtina jacarina (Black Dancing Finch). 



Everything possible should be done to encourage these, and all other insectivorous 

 birds, in the cane- fields. Most of the cane districts are very bare of trees ; the planting 

 of bushy trees along the traces would be an advantage. 



