The Birds of Wyoming. 23 



"The members of the family of Nuthatches and Tits feeds 

 for the most part on insects. But we lack very definite figures 

 regarding the kinds and number of insects that each destroys. 

 We can be sure, however, that any favors showns them will not 

 be thrown away. 



"The Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc., are all bene- 

 ficial as insect destroyers, and might be well compared with the 

 Robin, which is described quite fully beyond, only they are 

 even less liable to commit injuries to fruits. 



"The Robin has certainly been accused often enough of 

 being a first-class rascal to warrant the belief that there must 

 be at least some grounds for such accusations being made. In 

 his examination of 114 stomachs of this bird, taken during ten 

 months of the year, Professor Forbes, of Illinois, found the 

 contents to consist of 65 per cent insects and 34 per cent of 

 fruits and seeds. In the estimates of these food percentages 

 taken by the Robin, as well as by other birds, bulk for bulk 

 is taken, i. e., a quart of caterpillars or other insects is equiva- 

 lent to a quart of cherries or a quart of berries. Professor 

 Forbes asks this question : 'Will the destruction of seventeen 

 quarts of average caterpillars, including at least eight quarts 

 of cut-worms, pay for twenty-four quarts of cherries, currants, 

 and grapes ?' and then answers it in these words : 'To this 

 question I, for my own part, can only reply that I do not be- 

 lieve that the horticulturist can sell his small fruits anywhere 

 in the ordinary markets of the world at so high a price as to 

 the Robin, provided that he uses proper diligence that the lit- 

 tle huckster doesn't overreach him in the bargain.' 



"Much more might be said in favor of the Robin had I 

 the time and space at my command. 



"After having carefully scanned the foregoing notes con- 

 cerning the food-habits of our birds we cannot afford to con- 

 tinue indifferent in our treatment of them, nor can we even al- 

 low our neighbors to kill them though we ourselves have de- 

 cided to reform in this respect. We must work for a change 

 of heart in our neighbors also." 



