BIRDS AND INSECTS 129 



treated, in a few years develop into thick, stunted 

 bushes. The damage which may be done to young 

 pine and larch plantations by this bird is almost 

 inconceivable to those who have not witnessed it at 

 first hand. Protection can be afforded by painting 

 the buds with various mixtures, but oVer large areas 

 of planting the method would be expensive. Nothing 

 short of the extermination of this bird, or its reduc- 

 tion to such numbers that the damage done will be 

 negligible, will be of any use in the planting dis- 

 tricts, coupled with its reduction to a minimum in 

 other districts. 



Capercailzie also damages young plants in a 

 similar manner, but the bird is more restricted in 

 its distribution than the Black-game, and is not so 

 plentiful save in certain localities. It will be easier 

 dealt with in the afforestable areas. 



Grouse, though a sporting bird, may be men- 

 tioned here, but it is not of importance as a 

 pest in forestry. It is said to have the same pro- 

 pensity as Black-game for feeding on the buds of 

 young plants, but to a far smaller degree. Its 

 importance as a source of revenue on areas with, 

 which forestry at present will have little connection, 

 places it outside the purview of a pest. 



Protection against Noxious Insects 



We are still a long way from knowing the life- 

 histories and, habits of the insects in this country 

 which will have to be classed as dangerous pests, to 

 the forester. Our knowledge at present is to a 

 considerable extent second-hand, based upon the life- 



