fay, ¥ 4 x» * Ee. ett . ‘ | 4 Toe Eg ‘ dt 
i . fis Bes 
36 BRIGHT FEATHERS: 
‘‘ Perhaps the bird which does this good service is the Owhee Bunt- 
ing (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). We should like to hear more about it.” 
—Forest and Stream, Vol. XIII, p. 827, Nov. 20, 1879. 
“Tue Potato Buc Birp Ipentrriep.—I wish to say something 
confirmatory of the information given by “W" from Coralville, Iowa, 
in Forest and Stream of 20th ult. There are undoubtedly many— 
farmers and others—whose experience would be much more valuable 
than mine, but in the vicinity of St. Paul, Minnesota, I have often seen 
the birds engaged in feeding themselves and their young, just as de- 
scribed by ““W,” yet I have not seen them so acting at any great dis- 
tance from groves or timber. I do not think ‘““W” has overstaced 
any of the good or pleasing qualities of the bird. It is not, however, 
the Bunting suggested by the editor, and known as owhee, towhee, 
chowee, che-wing, joe-ree, ete., but is the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, - 
(‘‘ May his tribe increase,”) and is the only bird of which I have any 
knowledge or information whose first choice in matter of diet is a fresh 
potato bug. Of such is its favorite meal, and it does not often call for 
dessert or condiments when its preferred game is in season. But few 
farmers and gardeners make themselves acquainted with their best 
friends, or the bird with the rose-tinted bosom, would have his name 
inscribed well up towards the head of the list ; so high, indeed, that our 
old friend, Robin Red-Breast, would have to put himself upon his good 
behavior, in order to retain his standing.” M. 
Pemsina, D. T., Nov. 30th. 
‘ Minnesota—MWinneapolis, Nov. 2g¢h.—In your issue of November 
2oth, appeared a communication from a correspondent in Iowa, in re- 
gard to a certain bird eating the potato bug, or Colorado beetle. The 
