ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



I am indebted to many people and to several agencies for their assist- 

 ance in the preparation and completion of this work. It began as a result 

 of information obtained from analyzing several birds' nests for their in- 

 sect fauna; and, to my dismay, swelled to such proportions that I had to 

 seek help from many sources in order to complete it. 



The Society of the Sigma Xi awarded from its RESA research fund a 

 grant-in-aid of research most of which was used to defray costs of 

 approximately 275 inter-library loans. A smaller amount of this grant 

 was used to meet certain expenses incidental to preparation and publi- 

 cation. 



Dr. Maurice W. Provost, Florida State Board of Health, Professor 

 James A. Slater, University of Connecticut, and Dr. Clarence A. Sooter, 

 U. S. Public Health Service, gave valuable recommendations and wel- 

 come encouragement which contributed to progress of the work. 



Professor Jean L. Laffoon, Iowa State College, through the biblio- 

 graphic nature of his own research, contributed many citations which 

 would not have been included otherwise. By the assistance of Professor 

 H. M. Harris, Iowa State College, I was able to do some valuable biblio- 

 graphic work at the library of the Chicago Natural History Museum and 

 the John Crerar Library. 



The onus of copyreading was lightened by my wife, Josephine Wilson 

 Hicks, who helped with this necessary and tedious task. Mrs. Marie 

 Schafer did most of the typing in preparation for publication. To her 

 and to those who assisted her I am most grateful. 



Many other people contributed to the preparation and completion of 

 this work. Little-known and inconspicuous citations were called to my 

 attention by various workers. Others contributed suggestions and re- 

 commendations on taxonomic treatment and general organization. To 

 all, named and unnamed, I extend my sincere appreciation for their 

 help. 



