54 



FOOD HABITS OF THE GROSBEAKS. 



ber of si^ecies and because at times it makes scales a considerable part 

 of its fare. These little pests can not have too many enemies for the 

 good of mankind, and every bird that preys upon them should be wel- 

 comed and protected. 



The rosebreast sometimes feeds upon plant lice (Aphididfe), espe- 

 cially those that live on birch; and a number of these fragile insects 

 were found in a single stomach. Among other bugs, the odd little 

 buffalo tree-hopper {Ceresa huhalus, fig. 32), and a few of the flower- 

 bug and squash-bug families were found. Eight grosbeaks ate mem- 

 bers of the stink-bug family. In feeding upon these insects the rose- 

 breast gives further evidence of its indifference to flavors and odors 

 which to us are repulsive and nauseating in the extreme. Two of the 

 birds examined had devoured specimens of the banded soldier bug 



Fig. 32. — Buffalo tree-hopper (Ceresn hutahts). (From Marlatt. Bureau of Entomology.) 



{Milyas cinctus), which prej^s upon many insects, including the po- 

 tato beetle, and of another assassin bug {Sinea diadema), which 

 preys upon cankerworms and other caterpillars, besides flies and bees, 

 including the honey bee. AVere the habit of devouring such bugs 

 general, injury would result, but fortunately it is not. According to 

 B. F. Gault, the rosebreast feeds upon the chinch bug, which at times 

 has proved the worst crop pest in the country. 



A remarkable feature of the rosebreast's dietary is the few grass- 

 hoppers eaten. TJiese nutritious insects, which are welcomed by 

 almost all birds, compose only 0.2 percent of the food of the whole 

 number of grosbeaks examined. Results from the present collection 

 of stomachs may not represent a fair average, but as proportionate 

 numbers of the individuals examined were secured in the grass- 



