184 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
Stil. As a rule, members of this genus are beneficial and should be 
protected, since they are mostly predaceous in habit. Professor Bruner 
states that Podisus spinosus Dallas and Ferillus claudus Say prey upon the 
tent caterpillar. 
Among the more efficient vertebrate enemies may be named the 
American toad, though its feeding on this species is practically limited 
to the relatively short period when the larvae are wandering in search of 
proper places for pupation. Mr Kirkland has found the remains of 37 
full grown caterpillars in the stomach of one toad and from 15 to 20 in 
many others. The value of birds in keeping this and other pests under 
control is strikingly shown in an experiment conducted by Mr E. H. For- 
bush, ornithologist of the Massachusetts board of agriculture. In a 
typical orchard in Medford, Mass., a little trouble was taken to attract 
the native birds, the nests of the English or house sparrow being 
destroyed. The results were greatly in favor of protecting our indig- 
enous forms. In neighboring orchards it was evident that canker 
worms and tent caterpillars were very numerous, but in the orchard in 
question, the trees were injured seriously in only one or two instances, 
though no attempt was made to control the insects by spraying or other 
artificial means. ‘The following is a list of the birds observed feeding on 
the tent caterpillar in that Medford orchard: Crow, Corvus americanus 
Aud.; chickadee, Parus atricapillus Linn.; oriole, Zcturus galbula Linn. ; 
red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus Linn.; yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus 
americanus Linn.; black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus Wils. ; 
chipping sparrow, Sfzzella socialis Wils.; yellow warbler, Dendroica 
aestiva Gmel. ‘This list includes all the species observed feeding on 
the tent caterpillar by earlier writers. 
Preventive measures and remedies. It will not do to rely 
entirely on the good offices of native birds for keeping this or other in- 
sect pests under control, though they are undoubtedly of great value and 
richly repay any slight effort that may be made for the purpose of 
attracting them to orchards. Winter birds are induced to remain in the 
vicinity of orchards by hanging in the trees pieces of meat or partially 
picked bones, and will spend much time in searching out and devouring 
numerous insects or their eggs, relying on the meat only when 
conditions are unfavorable for obtaining insect food. Migratory birds 
may be induced to remain in larger numbers near orchards by providing 
them with suitable nesting places and materials, and by protecting them 
from cats and cruel boys. Thickets in the vicinity will afford shelter for 
