HIBERNATION. 13 
wheat and oats to grow and wheat lands to remain fallow, and the planting 
of new and better grass crops than the tough blue-stem, are direct causes of 
what I believe a decided increase of this insect in Oklahoma during the last 
five years. It would be amusing, if it were not so pathetic, to read the many 
letters I get, something in this wise: ‘I planted wheat on sod land; the chinch 
bugs destroyed it so badly that in February I plowed it up and sowed oats; 
this, too, went the same way; I then planted corn, and when it was a foot high 
the little bugs came by the millions and destroyed that; I then planted the land 
to Kafir corn, and that will be ruined if you can not help me.” What could I 
do for such a man? Had the bugs laid out a programme for their daily sus- 
tenance, no better commissary-general could have been obtained for them than 
he was, and I had to write him that his plan was the worst one possible for 
him, and the best for the bugs, and that the only suggestion I could make, 
from the bugs’ standpoint and for their benefit, would be to plant wheat again 
so that they could have something for the coming winter’s food. In his case 
it was a series of fatal mistakes from ignorance of the habits of the bugs. 
Another thing which I believe adds materially to the increase of these pests 
is the complete destruction of the prairie chickens, the decimation of par- 
tridges, and the thinning out of all kinds of smaller birds, such as the cow black- 
birds, bank sparrows, martins, larks, and other prairie birds. This section 
is full of reckless boys and men who kill everything that flies, good, bad, and 
indifferent, “for fun.” 
Some years ago I went out on the Cherokee Strip, miles away from human 
habitation, and saw some of the small birds—larks and killdees—busily picking 
in the young grass, in early spring, and upon examination found these places 
swarming with chinch bugs sucking the juices of the blue-stem grass. 
“Almost any time in the winter when the weather is warm one can find chinch 
bugs, and I have witnessed two “ flights”’ of these insects and determined them. 
I should be glad to answer any more specific questions at any time. 
With regards, I remain, 
J. C. NEAL. 
The second letter is a short note in reply to the author’s question 
regarding the grasses fed upon by the chinch bug, their hibernating 
habits, and developments: 
STILLWATER, OKLA., November 20, 1895. 
DEAR PROFESSOR WEBSTER: In reply to your postal, I would say that I do not 
know, but will at once make observations and report at my earliest chance. 
My belief is that the bugs attack all the grass family except the Cenchrus, 
and that only is exempt on account of its bitter taste, which effectually shields 
it from insects, as far as I have seen, both in this section and in Florida. 
I will take the matter in hand at as early a date as possible and write you 
progress and results. 
Very respectfully, J. C. NEAL. 
It is reasonable to infer from these letters that the chinch bug win- 
tered over about the stools of grass, and that the birds were observed 
to attack them there in early spring, as the statement is made that 
later, when the young corn was a foot high, the little bugs came by 
the million. This condition of affairs may be considered in connection 
with the statements of Dr. Asa Fitch,* regarding his cbservations 
a Second Report on Noxious, Beneficial, and Other Insects of New York, p. 283. 
