RAVAGES OF LOCUSTS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 465 



most cases, to look out for his own interest, often assisted by his neighbor ; thus many 

 have been destroyed. There are many yet in all the department west of Lake Nicara- 

 gua, between here and Managua. Quite an abundance of young hatched out in October, 

 not yet able to fly, and too large to drive. They will reach maturity in January, and 

 seek the same haunts as last year; probably will reach farther south. There is a 

 notable diminution from last year, ^o** In the dry season, when they commence their flight, 

 innumerable flocks of a bird about the size of a pigeon, dark lead-color, hawk-bill, 

 destroy many; also another, the queque, also consumes great quantities; have not seen 

 them near the city. The head is white, and it is of the size of a buzzard ; another name is 

 son-chiche (provincial names). The domestic fowls eat them when accessible ; also many 

 birds, not however to the extent of the two first. There is a parasite underneath the wings 

 that destroys many. I observed some last year with a microscope ; will try and dnd some 

 more to remit in the next box of antiquities I send to the Smithsonian Institution. 

 Some full-grown locusts I sent to Professor Henry in June, in a bottle with carbolic 

 acid. They went with the Flint and Bransford Central Railroad collection. My opinion 

 is that they are degenerating, and will disappear '<" next year, with a small effort of the 

 people. It would be well to inquire if they havo reached Panama or Cherokee ; I think 

 they will not pass below Cherokee. 



Some specimens were brought me last evening, all taken from one location ; they 

 are of different sizes; some have wings nearly of a full growth. Am waiting their 

 classification from the Smithsonian Institution. Don't think they are Caloptenus ; they 

 resemble CEdipocla of Say ; these have spotted elytra wings, and are larger ; last ventral 

 segment notched, as in spretus. Would observe that many private efforts to exter- 

 minate them in certain localities, when young, resulted in the adoption of torches made 

 of strips of cloth dipped in kerosene, used mostly on green cactus hedges. It seems 

 superior to any other. 



If any new facts occur, will inform you or Professors Henry or Baird, who can trans- 

 mit them to the central office. Hoping this may be of use to you, excusing the haste, 

 made to comply promptly for this mail, 



I beg leave to remain, yours sincerely, 



EARL FLINT. 



A. S. Packard, Jr., 



Secretary United States Entomological Commission, Sakm, Mass. 



P. S.— Courier says they are abundant in Leon. One square foot of plowed ground 

 contained 2S nests, with from 80 to 84 eggs in each, 



ITEE LOCUSTS OP SOUTH AMERICA. 



The treeless portions of South America are also not exempt from 

 swarms of locusts, though we have no information as to the different 

 species composing them. Taylor says that at the time of the visit of 

 Darwin to Chile and the adjacent countries of South America he relates 

 of the grasshoppers as follows, at the date of March 25, 1835, when he 

 was crossing the dry country which lies between the city of Mendoza, in 

 Buenos Ayres, and the opposite side of Chile. This country assimilates 

 in every essential physical characteristic to that of the territories within 



100 Except the district northeast from hero, where it seems they are workinp; around the head of the 

 lake— having reached as far as Teustepe. There I am informed, this morning, the 19th, that the region, for 

 miles about that district is covered with young in different stages of development, and that some of the 

 full-grown are lea^ang for the mountains ; thus it is feared that they will get a foothold in the grazing 

 country of Chon tales, so well situated for their propagation, and by destroying the pasture, deprive 

 the department of beef. The prefect gave his opinion last evening that we were menaced with a 

 scarcity of food for next year, should they continue. Heretofore they have not passed around the lake. 



Joi Unless they gain a foothold in Chontales. 



30 a 



