NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



765 



Bean Thrips, The. By H. M. Russell (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Buy 

 Entom., Bull. 118 ; Oct. 1912 ; 11 figs.). — The common name " bean 

 thrips " is somewhat of a misnomer, as this insect feeds on many 

 different crops, including alfalfa and cotton. Spraying is useless for 

 a crop such as alfalfa or cotton, and will probably only be successful 

 with the bean when the vine can be reached from the under side. 



V. G. J. 



Beetles, Their Value as Parasitic Enemies of Insect Pests. 



By A. F. Burgess and C. W. Collins (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Year Book 

 1911, 7 pp. ; 1 col. plate and many figs.). — An interesting account 

 of the many Beetles which prey upon pests of garden plants. The 

 Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) larvae were noted to destroy some 

 sixty aphides daily. The experiment of bringing the Asiatic ladybird 

 (Chilocorus similis) to prey upon the St. Jose scale proved abortive, 

 the parasite disappearing in a few years. The writers end on a hopeful 

 note considering that much may be done in controlling pests by the 

 encouragement and introduction of such carnivorous insects. — E.A .Bd. 



Berberis, New Chinese Species of (Gard. Chron. Nov. 15, 191 3, 

 P- 335 i with coloured plate and 2 figs.). — Sixteen species are described 

 and B. Sargentiana specially recommended, as being the only 

 evergreen Barberry that has proved perfectly hardy in the Arnold 

 Arboretum. — E. A. B. 



Birds and Grain Aphides (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Year Book 1912, 

 pp. 397-404 ; figs.). — An interesting account of the amount of aphides 

 found in the stomachs of American birds. The Field Sparrow (Spizella 

 pusilla) leads with a daily consumption of 154, closely followed by the 

 Goldfinch (Astragalinus bristis) with 132' 5. — E. A. Bd. 



Birds, An Investigation concerning the Food of Certain. By 



J. Hammond (Jour. Agr. Sci. vol. iv. pp. 380-409 ; June 1912). — 

 The relations of the starling and the lark to agriculture, but not to fruit- 

 growing, were investigated in Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridge during the 

 whole course of the year. The starling was found to devour an enormous 

 number of insects of all kinds, both harmful and beneficial, during late 

 spring, summer, and early autumn, but did considerable damage to grain 

 (especially seed wheat) in autumn and some in spring. The contents 

 of the gizzards &c. of 239 starlings were examined. Larks, on the 

 whole, are beneficial, devouring vast quantities of weed seeds and insects, 

 but in winter and seed-time doing some damage to green crops and 

 small seeds. — F. J. C. 



Birds Insectivorous of New South Wales (cont.) (Agr. Gaz. 

 N.S.W. vol. xxiv. pt. v. pp. 388-389 ; 2 col. figs.). — The Orange-winged 

 Tree Runner (Neositta chrysoptera) has a grey back with brown streaks 

 and a bright orange patch on each wing. 



The Fantailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliforrnis) lays its eggs in 

 the nests of other insectivorous birds. — S. E. W. 



