98 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
dation. He also records the destructicn of the caterpillars by a 
soldier bug, Podisus serieventris Uhl.; states that the 
Baltimore oriole, black-billed cuckoo, crow, bluebird and English 
sparrow have also been observed feeding on these insects, and 
quotes Mr Kirkland to the effect that the birds eat not only the 
moths, but their young, and that it was no uncommon sight at 
Somerville to see flocks of 20 or more sparrows collect the 
moths from a picket fence. In addition to the above mentioned 
birds, Mr E. H. Forbush has recorded the robin, bluejay, black and 
white warbler, the rose-breasted grosbeak, the chestnut-sided 
warbler, the scarlet tanager, redstart, chickadees, red-eyed vireos, 
the yellow-throated vireo and the male indigo bird as feeding on 
the caterpillars. The records given by Mr Forbush include the 
number of larvae eaten by each bird and the time occupied. None 
ate less than nine, and one aS many as 57 caterpillars, the 
latter operation occupying 20 minutes. These observations show 
that our native birds will undoubtedly prove to be very efficient 
aids in checking this pest. Professor Fernald has also recorded 
bats as feeding on the moths at night, and he states that toads 
devour the caterpillars during the early summer and the moths 
later in the season. 
Remedial measures. The conspicuous hibernating nests [pl. 1, 
fig. 7] of this species are easily detected at any time when the 
foliage is off the trees, and one of the most effective methods of 
checking this pest is to cut them off and burn them. This can be 
very easily done with the aid of long handled pruning shears. 
The insect is also readily controlled with arsenical poisons; and 
Professor Fernald reports experiments in spraying with arsenate 
of lead, in which 1 pound to 150 gallons, killed 50% of the 
caterpillars in four days, 90% in seven days and all in 13 
days. Treatment with the same insecticide, 2 pounds to 150 gal 
lons, gave similar results, and, when 5 pounds were used to 150 
gallons, 80% were dead within four days and all in nine days. 
The use of 10 pounds to 150 gallons resulted in the destruction of 
all the caterpillars in six days. 
Spraying with paris green, 1 pound to 150 gallons, killed 4% 
in four days, 70% in six days and 90¢ in nine days, all being dead 
in 12 days. 
