146 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



— -insects which prey largely upon other insects, especially honeybees, and which 

 have been known to commit in this way extensive depredations. It is thus evident 

 that the Kingbird by destroying these flies actually does good work for the apiarist. 

 Nineteen robber flies were found in the stomachs examined ; these may be consid- 

 ered more tlian an equivalent for the four worker honeybees already mentioned. A 

 few caterpillars are eaten, mostly belonging to the group commonly known as cut- 

 worms, all the species of which are harmful. About 10 per cent of the food consists 

 of small native fruits, comprising some twenty common species of the roadsides and 

 thicket, such as dogwood berries, elder berries, and wild grapes. The bird has not 

 been reported as eating cultivated fruit to an injurious extent, and it is very doubt- 

 ful if this is ever the case, for cherries and blackberries are the only ones that might 

 have come from cultivated places, and they were found in but few stomachs. 



" Three points seem to be clearly established in regard to the food of the King- 

 bird — (i) that about 90 per cent consists of insects, mostly injurious species; (2) 

 that the alleged habit of preying upon honeybees is much less prevalent than has 

 been supposed, and probably does not result in any great damage ; and (3) that the 

 vegetable food consists almost entirely of wild fruits which have no economic value. 

 These facts, taken in connection with its well-known enmity for Hawks and Crows, 

 entitle the Kingbird to a place among the most desirable birds of the orchard or 

 garden." (Beal.) 



Phoebe (Sayornis plicebc). — "The Phoebe subsists almost exclusively upon 

 insects, most of which are caught upon the wing. An examination of 80 stomachs 

 showed that over 93 per cent of the year's food consists of insects and spiders, 

 while wild fruit constitutes the remainder. The insects belong chiefly to various 

 species and include many click beetles. May beetles, and weevils. Grasshoppers in 

 their season are eaten to a considerable e.xtent, while wasps of various species, many 

 flies of species that annoy cattle, and a few bugs and spiders are also eaten. * * * 



" There is hardly a more useful species about the farm and it should receive 

 every encouragement. To furnish nesting boxes is unnecessary, as it usually prefers 

 a more open situation, like a shed or nook under the eaves, but it should be 

 protected from cats and other marauders." (Beal.) 



Wood Pewee {Contopiis vircns). — "Of forty-one specimens examined, eighteen 

 had eaten 66 small beetles, among them 7 metallic-green beetles and several lamelli- 

 corns ; fourteen, 41 dipterous insects, among them 12 large crane-flies. * * * 



" I have seen one Wood Pewee capture and feed to its young, which had recently 

 left the nest, 41 insects in the course of 41 minutes. Several of these insects were 

 moths." (King.) 



