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108 THE CONDOR Vol. XVII notable in extending increased protection to game animals in various ways. The in- stigation of the enforcement of the Federal Migratory Bird Law resulted in several states changing their laws to accord with that measure, and other states attempted' to make their local laws more uniform. Of particular interest to ornithologists are the Regulations for the Protection of Mi- gratory Birds, which, as amended, are here presented in full. Tables giving the open seasons for various species of game in the States and Provinces are given, and data are also presented concerning the shipment of game, its sale, bag limits, and licenses for hunting and shipping game. Bird houses are not so extensively used in the West as is the case in the eastern United States, but Dr. Dearborn's bulletin on "Bird Houses and How to Build Them "s will doubtless stimulate interest along this important line of bird attraction. The author first comments on the increase in the number of bird houses in use and then pro- cee..ds to give practical directions accom- panied by complete and detailed illustra- tions, with measurements, of many types of bird houses. All, from the simple tin can wired in a tree to the elaborate m?ny- roomed "hotels" for martins, are well de- scribed. A table gives the best dimensions and height above the ground for houses intended for th? various species. Plans for some food shelters are also given. The bul- letin closes with some remarks on the care of bird houses and gives some suggestions concerning the handling of bird enemies. It is hoped that bird lovers in the West will avail themselves of this bulletin and put the information which it contains to good USe. Mr. Kaitabach's work on "Birds in Rela- tion to the Alfalfa Weevil TM is the result of two periods of field work in north-central Utah in 1911 and 1912.' This pest was only introduced into the region in 1904, so that the results are of more than usual interest in showing the ability of birds to adapt themselves to a new food species in a short period of time. Forty-five species of birds ranging from the California Gull to the Mountain Bluebird were found feeding on the weevil, although the majority of the species were ground-inhabiting passefine SDearborn, N., Bird Houses and How to Build Them. U.S. Dept. Agric., Farmers' Bull. 609, 19 pp., 48 text figs. Issued Septem- ber 11, 1914. 4Kalmbach, E. R., Birds in Relation to the Alfalfa ?reevil. U.S. Dept. Agric., Bull. 107 (Professional Paper), 64 pp., pls. I-, 3 figs. in text. Issued July 27, 1914. birds. Among these, the sparrows and the blackbirds and their allies were the most effective agents in the destruction of the- weevil. The English. Sparrow is a very abundant species throughout much of the weevil infested area, especially in the out- lying districts, and in consequence of this a very detailed study of its food habits was made. In general it was found (hat the spe- cies was aiding in the destruction of the weevil, and it was recommended that the bounty on these birds be removed but that. they be not placed on the list of protected species. In addition to the information con- cerning the alfalfa weevil there is a great deal concerning the other constituents of the food of the species studied. Five plates, two of which, a Western Meadowlark and a Brewer Blackbird are by Fuertes, and three text-figu.res illustrate the work. The paper of anonymous authorship on American thrushes s, which is stated to have been "prepared from data furnished by F. E. L. Beal", is here reviewed because of Professor Beal's remote connection with it and also to call attention to the evil results attending compilation by one not well in- formed or properly able to handle another's findings. All of the other articles in the 1913 Yearbook are signed by members of the various Bureaus of the Agriculture De- partment; but the author of this contribu- tion seemingly felt it necessary to suppress his identity. The quite "breezy" style of the article reminds one more of a newspaper "story" than of a product from the scien- tific offices of the Federal government. The article is also marred by lack of definite organization, and irregularity of treatment, in these respects comparing unfavorably with the other ?rticles in this volume and with the contributions which have appeared from the members of the Biological Survey in previous Yearbooks. Statements concerning the insects found in the stomachs of the thrushes are sweep- ing in character, and, in general, exact quantitative statements are almost lacking. Rearranged, with superfluous matter elim- inated and sweeping statements reduced, the article could be of value in disseminat- ing information concerning these important and widely distributed birds, for the Year- book reaches a vast number of readers; but in its present form this cannot be fairly said of 'it.--TRAc I. STORER. aAnonYmous. The American Thurshes Val- uable Bird Neighbors. Prepared from data furnished by Prof. F. E. k. Beal, Biological Survey. D'. S. Dept. Agvic., Yearbook, 1913, pp. 137-142, frontisp. and pl. XV. Issued 1914.