NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



Ill 



mongoose, though beneficial in destroying f er de lance " (Lachesis 

 mutus), has also entailed the destruction of insectivorous lizards, thus 

 rendering it essential to protect birds which can take their place as 

 insect-eaters (list of native birds given). Besides these, game birds 

 and plumage birds should also be protected. Among the former, the 

 most beautiful is the native parrot (Amazona versicolor). These birds 

 are also the first to be exterminated in their native haunts, and some 

 varieties have completely disappeared from many of the West Indian 

 islands (notably the macaws and parakeets). This is due partly to 

 their characteristic sympathy with a suffering fellow-bird, which renders 

 capture easy, and partly, of course, to their market value as pets. 

 Several doves are likely to disappear, being favourite dainties with the 

 mongoose. Two valuable game birds are the " Crabier " (feeds on 

 pernicious land-crabs) and the Gree-gree " (eats mole crickets). A 

 few native birds of St. Lucia may be classed as injurious, especially the 

 " poule d'eau," which destroys plantains, bananas, and maize, and 

 might be kept in check but by trapping only (when other birds caught 

 could be released). 



Collectors' permits should depend upon reliable sponsorship by one 

 of the well-known societies. 



The introduction of foreign birds should be prohibited, with possible 

 exceptions in favour of insectivorous birds, such as the Japanese robin 

 (or Pekin nightingale), the Mexican chachalaca, guan, and curassow. 



C. H. L. 



Botryosphaeria ribis, A Contribution to the Life-History, 



Parasitism, and BiolOgry of. By J. G. Grossenbacher and B. M. 

 Duggar {U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Geneva, Tech. Bull. 18; July 1911; figs.). 

 A disease of currants causing the death of young currant-shoots 

 and the wilting of older branches and parts of bushes during the 

 summer (from May onwards) is described. The fungus which causes 

 the disease is sterile at the time of the death of the affected shoots, but 

 three spore forms later develop on the host. The Macrophoma type 

 of spore develops in July on the recently dead shoots. In early 

 summer in the season following the death complex black bodies bear- 

 ing the second Dothierella form of spore break through the bark, and 

 a third type usually appears later. The fungus is described and named 

 Botryosphaeria rihis. The spores germinate on artificial media, but 

 the fungus remains sterile. Inoculations were carried out with suc- 

 cess. Infection takes place in June and July, and it is recommended 

 that all dead wood should be pruned out in May, so as to reduce the 

 chance of infection. Numerous saprophytic fungi were found on the 

 dead shoots, including Nectria cinnabarina, to which the disease had 

 previously been ascribed by some. — F. J. C. 



Budding". By W. J. Allen (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxii. pt. i. 

 pp. 59-66; 11 figs.). — Instructions for budding are given and the follow- 

 ing is recommended for wrapping buds : — The waxed cloth is prepared 

 by dipping calico in a melted mixture of beeswax (3), resin (3), and two 



