is soft, later becomes hard, is more or less impervious to water, and 

 forms a very excellent protection. The number of eggs in a pod of 

 spretus is from 25 to 80; in M. dijferentialis, from 100 to 150. It 

 is thought that the former lays two or three pods of eggs during a 

 season while the latter lays only one. 



The casual observer might suppose the eggs were thrust promis- 

 cuously into the hole made for them. Not so ; they are not only ar- 

 ranged to economize space, but to best facilitate the escape of the 

 young. See plate V, fig. 10, B. The egg-laying season extends from 

 six to eight weeks, though this period may be shortened or length- 

 ened by climatic conditions, since the season is closed only by frost. 

 The eggs will hatch in the order of being laid ; so it is readily seen 

 that all will not hatch at once. While the hatching period may 

 cover six or eight weeks, and is also affected by climatic conditions, in 

 this latitude Riley has found the bulk of them hatch about the last 

 of April. As soon as hatched the young shed a covering or film, and 

 begin at once to satisfy their renowned appetites. If sufficient food 

 is at hand they are not noticed and cause little apprehension. If 

 food is scarce they begin to hop, generally all in one direction, de- 

 vouring everything before them. 



The female is very intent upon her work of laying eggs and can be 

 easily watched. At this season farmers will do well to observe their 

 actions and the places where eggs are being laid, that intelligent ac- 

 tion may be taken to prevent their hatching. See plate IV, fig. 8. 



REMEDIES. 



Natural. — The enemies of the locusts are many. Native birds 

 and all domestic fowls feed with avidity upon them. Prairie-chickens 

 and quails prefer them as food. It is safe to say that many birds not 

 generally accredited aid in reducing the number of locusts. Pro- 

 fessor Snow first ascertained that the Red-headed Woodpecker 

 ■{Melanerpes erythrocephalus), Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus 

 ■ Americanus), Cat-bird ( GaleoseopteH Carollnensls), Red-eyed Vireo 

 ■^ Vireo olivaceus), Great-crested Flycatcher {Mylar^chus crinitus), 

 and Crow Blackbird ( QuiscaJus qulseula aencris) feed upon the lo- 

 cust. Prof. Samuel Aughey has found by not less than 630 cases of 

 dissection that 90 sjjecies of birds are partial to locusts as food. 

 Many winter birds seek the egg-pods for food. Then let the preser- 

 vation and multiplication of our native birds be given the thought 

 and legislation they deserve. 



Among quadrupeds the . agriculturist find worthy allies. Hogs 

 thrive upon the young locusts; cats spend the whole day in the field 

 catching and eating them. Squirrels, chipmunks, weasels, and even 



