366 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
ey, 11. Scarlet Tanager, Pyranga rubra, Vieill. 
11. Am. Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla, Sw. 
‘© 42. Orchard Oriole, Jcterus spurius, Bonap. 
‘* 13. Indigo Bunting, Cyanospiza cyanea, Baird. 
‘ 14. Great-crested Flycatcher, Myrarchus crinitus, Cal. 
‘* 20. Up to this time about all the birds frequenting this locality 
have arrived, and with few exceptions they seem to be quite as abundant 
as the year previous. 
Now that we have completed the list of immigratory birds, let us turn 
fora moment and see if there are any who have the courage and endur- 
ance to withstand the cold winters of Minnesota. I find upon examina- 
tion of my notes that for the past three years, 1889-90-91, we have had the 
following birds with us during the winter months: 
Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginanus, Bonap. 
Long-eared Owl, Otus wilsonianus, Less. 
Screech Owl, Scops iaso, Bonap. 
Barred Owl, Syrnium nebulosum, Gray. 
White-rumped Shrike, Collyrio borealis, Baird. 
Blue Jay, Cyanura cristata. 
Bohemian Waxwing. 
Evening Grosbeak. 
White-bellied Nuthatch. 
Downy Woodpecker, Picus pubescens, Linn. 
Hairy Wookpecker, Picus Villosus, Linn. 
Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus. 
» Quail, Ortyx virginianus. 
Prairie Hen, Cupidonia cupido. 
Black-capped Chickadee, Parus atricapillus. 
USE OF BIRDS AS INSECT DESTROYERS. 
Some persons without investigation or reflection have assumed that 
birds consume few insects. Let them visit the museum of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture and examine the contents of stomachs of birds as 
prepared by some of our able professors, and they will be satisfied that 
their favorite and principal food is animal,and that many tribes use vege- 
table food (fruits, seeds and etc.) simply as dessert or as a condiment. 
“Tt is not unusual”says a well known writer, “to behold in the American 
seas immense troops of birds collected to prey upon those prodigious swarms 
of winged insects which sometimes darken the air.” Swallows feed upon 
flies, grasshoppers, butterfiies and beetles, and to protect these birds 
from slaughter should be the object of all interested in horticulture or 
any of its branches. It has been stated that the ‘‘Swift” swallow can see 
a fly 600 yards distant. Bradley says that a pair of swallows will destroy 
3360 caterpillars for a week’s family supplies. Meanwhile the flycatchers are 
not idle, but hunt for their prey, follow the plow for insects, glean the 
flies found molesting the cattle,and banquet upon the swarms that 
breed upon the margin of stagnant waters. Wilson says that the black- 
