53 FIELD AND FOREST. 



seen along the shores of the river, and having found their roosting 

 place we made sad havoc in the flock, obtaining no less than twelve 

 specimens — one of which was a perfect adult. This flock consisted of 

 about one hundred and fifty, most all of which were young birds of the 

 year. 



Pierre Louis Jouy. 



The Destructive Insects Bill in Great Britain. 



The main provisions of this Act, which recently passed both houses 

 of Parliament, are against the much dreaded Colorado beetle, Dory- 

 phora decemlineata, though the title would seem to imply destructive 

 insects in general. 



The first section provides that the Privy Council prohibit or regu- 

 late the landing in Great Britain of potatoes or of stalks and leaves 

 of potatoes, or other vegetable substance or other article brought from 

 any place put of Great Britain, the landing whereof may appear to the 

 Privy Covncil likely to introduce the insect, and may authorize the 

 destruction of any such article when landed. 



It the second section provision is made for the removal or destruc- 

 tion of any crop of potatoes or other crop, or substance on which the 

 said insect in: any stage of existence is found, or to, or by means of 

 which the said insect may appear to the Privy Council likely to spread, 

 and the entering on any lands for the purpose of such removal or des- 

 truction, or for the purpose of any examination or inquiry authorized 

 by the order. 



It also prohibits the sale or the exposing and offering for sale of 

 living specimens of the insect in any stage, or the, distribution in any 

 manner of such specimens. A penalty may be imposed of, not ex J 

 ceeding ^iofor any offence, together with the costs, on summary con-' 

 viction before two justices of the peace. 



Where crops are destroyed, compensation may be allowed to the 

 extent of three-fourths of the value of the crop at the time of destruc- 

 tion. The local authorities charged with carrying out the pro- 

 visions of Act, are the same as those empowered to act in the con- 

 tagious diseases (animals) Act of 1869. 



