34-8 CONNECTICUT GEOL. AND NAT. HIST. SURVEY. [Bull. 



(Setophaga ruticilla) had eaten 161 small locusts and 177 other 

 insects; and 11 Wisconsin birds, 14 small beetles, 4 very small 

 moths, 4 small hymenopterous insects, and a large number of 

 dipterous insects. This Warbler catches insects on the wing as 

 readily as a flycatcher. Such instances of the feeding habits of 

 our Warblers might be multiplied indefinitely with each species 

 of the family, but these are more than sufficient to show how in- 

 dispensable these birds are to the state. 



PIPITS. 



Motacillidce. 



The American Pipit or Titlark (Anthus rubescens) might in 

 many ways be called the Warbler of the fields, as its food is chiefly 

 insects. " No extended study of the food habits of this species 

 appears to have been made. It is asserted, however, by various 

 authors to feed on beetles, spiders, seeds in the fields, and along 

 shore on minute shells, shrimps, etc." (Chapman, "The Eco- 

 nomic Value of Birds to the State.") 



MOCKINGBIRDS and THRASHERS. 



Mimidce. 



The Catbird (Dametella carolinensis) " always attracts atten- 

 tion, and the intruder upon its haunts soon understands that he 

 is not welcome. There is no mistaking the meaning of the sneer- 

 ing voice with which he is saluted, and there is little doubt that 

 this gave rise to the popular prejudice against the bird ; but the 

 feeling has been increased by the fact that the species is some- 

 times a serious annoyance to fruit growers. All such reports, 

 however, seem to come from the prairie country of the West. 

 In New England, according to the writer's experience, the Cat- 

 bird is seldom seen about gardens or orchards; the reason may 

 possibly be found in the fact that on the prairies fruit-bearing 

 shrubs which afford so large a part of this bird's food are con- 

 spicuously absent. With the settlement of this region comes an 

 extensive planting of orchards, vineyards, and small fruit gardens, 

 which furnish shelter and nesting sites for the Catbird, as well 

 as for other species, with a consequent large increase in their 

 numbers, but without providing the native fruits upon which 



