18 FOOD HABITS OF THE GROSBEAKS. 



These and the curiously shaped tree-hoppers ( Membra cidae), all of 

 Avhich are more or less injurious, are occasionally taken by the red- 

 bird. More often this grosbeak secures the tiny bark-lice or scale 

 insects (Coccida?). These minute but nevertheless destructive pests, 

 which have not long been known to be preyed upon to any extent by 

 birds, were devoured by 21 cardinals. The cherry scale {Eulecanium 

 cerasifex)^ which is sometimes injurious, was identified from one 

 stomach, while another contained scales which are probably the locust 

 bark-scale {E. robiniarum). Other scale insects of the same genus 

 were fed upon by 15 cardinals and those of a related genus 

 {Totnneyella) of the southeastern United States b}' 2. 



Other Hemiptera Avere eaten by 59 grosbeaks, 31 selecting the vile- 

 smelling stinkbugs (Pentatomidae), including the green tree-bug 

 {Nezara hilans) and 1 specimen of Euschistus. The secretions of 

 the latter insect have proved fatal to such hardy creatures even as 

 weevils, but apparently they do not daunt the cardinal. One assassin 

 bug and 1 species of the chinch-bug family also were devoured. 

 Practically all of the Hemiptera eaten are injurious, and some, such 

 as the scale insects, extremely so. Consequently, the cardinal's habit 

 of preying upon them is highly beneficial. 



Passing to beetles, we find weevils are eaten to a greater extent than 

 any others. These compactly formed snout-bearers belong to 10 fam- 

 ilies, members of 3 of which are preyed upon by the cardinal. ]Most 

 of the weevils attack nuts, fruits, and seeds, including those of culti- 

 vated plants. Hence, they are generally harmful and many kinds are 

 exceptionally destructive. Weevils often are obscurely colored and 

 have the habit of feigning death, but notwithstanding these protec- 

 tive devices they are captured in large numbers by all insectivorous 

 birds. One hundred and fifty-seven cardinals ate weevils in quan- 

 tity sufficient to make 3.26 percent of the food of all examined. 

 Scarred snout-beetles and curculios are equally relished. Sixteen red- 

 birds fed upon a species {Compsus amicephalus) of the former 

 group, which, in the adult state, occurs upon the leaves of cotton. 

 The tiniest fragment of this insect suffices for identification, because 

 of the beautiful covering of silvery green and golden scales. Thir- 

 teen other £Tosbeaks ate scarred snout-beetles which can not be identi- 

 fied. Of curculios, the acorn weevil {Balaninus nasicus), with a 

 snout almost as long as the body, and several species of 5 weed-mining 

 genera were captured. Six redbirds ate the injurious clover weevils 

 (Sitones). The cotton boll weevil (fig. 19) also is occasionally eaten 

 by the cardinal, 2 of the present collection having secured specimens 

 of this highly destructive insect. Twelve redbirds captured curcu- 

 lios which were not further determined. Bill-bugs (fig. 12), whicli 

 as larvae live in the roots of grasses or sedges and as adults often in- 

 jure corn by drilling holes in the stems of young plants, were de- 



