50 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



fectivc enemies of the army worm, H e 1 i o p h i 1 a unipuncta 

 Haw. 



Last season numerous birds, sparrows and robins in particu- 

 lar were observed at Amsterdam here and there upon the ground 

 searching- out and devouring the pests. One greedy robin was 

 seen with three green fruit worms in his mouth. The birds 

 were much more numerous among and under the infested trees 

 than in other portions of the city. Only a relatively slight in- 

 crease in their number would probably have checked the pest be- 

 fore the trees were defoliated. Dr W. G. VanName, zoologist 

 of the State Museum, visited Amsterdam June ioth and made the 

 following observations: 



The green maple worms were then already much reduced in 

 numbers, and it was evident that if the rate at which they were 

 being destroyed by birds should continue, few would be able to 

 transform to the pupal stage. Nine species of birds were actu- 

 ally seen eating or carrying away caterpillars, and nine others 

 were apparently associated in this work. Considering the num- 

 ber of individuals, size and habits of each of the species seen eat- 

 ing worms, the following were apparently most destructive and 

 in about the order named: English sparrow, robin, crow black- 

 bird, Baltimore oriole, cow bird, cat bird, chipping sparrow. 



The English sparrow takes first place solely on account of its 

 superior numbers; the robin, cat bird, crow blackbird and oriole 

 are individually more efficient. The cedar waxwing and yellow 

 warbler were also seen carrying off caterpillars. 



The following species, seen about or under the infested trees, 

 were doubtless there for the purpose of feeding upon the pests: 

 blue bird, rose-breasted grosbeak, red-eyed virco, warbling vireo, 

 bobolink, redstart, song sparrow. The king bird and phoebe 

 were also seen, and though they feed chiefly on tl\ ing insects, 

 appear to take some of the caterpillars, though this could not be 

 established with certainty. 



The majority of the above-named birds had nests within two 

 or three hundred yards of the infested trees and could be seen 

 carrying off the caterpillars (the robins and blackbirds often 

 with two or three at a time) to feed their young. The cater- 

 pillars were evidently a great attraction to the birds, since there 

 were at least two or three times as many birds as in apparently 

 equally favorable though uninfested localities. 



The following record, made between 9.30 and 10 a.m., will 

 give an idea of the rate at which the birds were destroying the 



