195 



We are especially indebted to the Cedar birds for the part that they 

 have taken in destroying the insect-pest, which for several years past 

 has carried such wide-spread havoc among the elra-trees of this 

 region.^ During the summer months every tree of this genus ( Ulmus) 

 bears the evidence of ravages committed by this noxious insect, 

 whose devastating action is evidenced by the blighted foliage. Early 

 in the season, in some cases, the trees are completely denuded of their 

 leaves, which reappear again, late in autumn, just before the frosts 

 come to destroy them a second time. Energetic measures have been 

 adopted for the preservation of those trees which are desired for 

 shade, or ornamental purposes ; and various devices have been resorted 

 to, to destroy this troublesome insect. None of these efforts have, 

 however, been crowned with a large measure of success. The Cedar- 

 birds have accomplished far more towards its extirpation than have 

 all other causes combined. Frequenting the elms where this insect 

 abounds the Waxwings devour immense numbers, not only of the 

 winged insect, but also of the larvai. They capture the adult insects 

 upon the wing, in the manner of the Flycatchers, and eagerl}' search 

 the trunk and brandies for their crawling larvas, which are swallowed 

 with the greatest avidity. 



In the Nuttall Bulletin (Vol. Ill, No. 2, pp. 70 and 71, April, 1878), 

 I have described certain minor variations in color, and in the orna- 

 mentation of the wings and tail, in high conditions of this species. 

 They have attracted the attention of various writers (especially Baird, 

 Coues and Brewster), who have described the usual differences. 

 These consist, in the presence or absence of yellow or white spots 

 upon the extremity of the remiges, and in the distribution of the red 

 wax-like appendages which adorn the tips of the quills. The yellow 

 or white spots on the remiges, when present, are confined to the pri- 

 mary quills. They are only present in a few cases, and are usually of 

 small size, though occasionally as distinct as are those of the rec- 

 trices. They may be entirely white, entirely yellow, or a mixture of 

 both colors. In the latter case, there is either a proximal band of 

 white, succeeded by a yellow one that blends with the first; or they 

 may be as described by Mr. Brewster,** "tipped broadly with white, 

 and in the centre of each white spot a smaller one of yellow." I have 

 recently seen several examples having distinct yellow tips to a few 

 primary quills. The red horny appendages, which are usually con- 

 fined to the tips of the secondary remiges, have also been found upon 



^An entomological frieml, to whom I sent some of the animals in question, in- 

 forms me that it is Diahrotica (Galleruca) calniariensis; but, here, we call them 

 "elm-flies." 



8 Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. Ill, No. 2, p. 64, April, 1878. 



