COMMUNICATIONS. 355 



Upon observing one of them more attentively, he became in- 

 terested in watching its operations. Banning along near the 

 hills, it stopt abruptly from time to time, opposite a hill, and 

 stood still as if listening ; then, having apparently discovered its 

 direction, it inserted its bill at a short distance from a spear of 

 corn, and by a rapid rotary motion, partially buried itself in 

 the loose earth, and then jerking backwards dragged out a large 

 grub, which from its situation may reasonably be supposed to 

 have been one of those larvas, of which there are several kinds, 

 known by the name cut-worms. Taking this worm in its bill, 

 it ran along until by its acute sense of hearing, or by some other 

 instinct, it became aware of the presence of another of its insect 

 prey. Then laying down the one previously obtained, it quick- 

 ly dislodged another, in the same manner, and siezing them both 

 in its bill again pursued the search. Having obtained as many 

 as it could carry, it flew off to the neighboring grass field, hav- 

 ing, in all probability, a brood of young awaiting her arrival. 



Not unfrequently one of these small birds would carry off 

 four or five grubs at once ; often having to lay them down and 

 take them up several times before it could get secure hold of 

 them all. 



When we consider how common these birds are, it is easy to 

 conceive that they must destroy an immense number of Larvse 

 in the course of the season. 



Whilst writing thir? article, I have obtained several specimens 

 of this kind of bird, both male and female, for the purpose of 

 identifying the species with certainty. Upon examining the 

 contents of the stomach, I found in most of them, grains resem- 

 bling pulled oats, and in one of them was a larvee nearly an inch 

 in length, of a pale green color, with a brown head, and taper- 

 ing a little at each end, being different from the cut-worm, but 

 similar to a grub which I have seen burrowing into the stalk of 

 corn, or, between the stalk and the sheaths. 



Thus does this shy and unobtrusive little bird perform its 

 humble but useful part in the economy of nature, and whilst 

 seeking a subsistence for itself and young, unconsciously renders 

 an important service to the husbandman. 



