THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 53 



varieties escape. The small winter grape (Vitis cordi- 

 folia), on account of its peculiar flavor and small pulp, 

 is never attacked, although I am inclined to believe 

 that the sweet-scented blossoms are not so fortunate. 

 The fruit of the sweet viburnum (Viburnum lentago), 

 which is in excellent order in the months of October 

 and November, is eaten with a gusto. The fruits of 

 Lonicera periclymenum and Rhus glabra constitute a por- 

 tion of their bill of fare also at this season, although 

 not favorite articles of diet. 



Many careful microscopic examinations of the contents 

 of numerous stomachs during the fall and winter months, 

 September excluded, have revealed but few, if any, traces 

 of insects. It is therefore wise to conclude that their 

 diet then consists almost entirely of vegetable food, 

 using this term in its broadest sense. In early spring 

 indubitable traces of Harpalus pcnnsylvanicus, H. compar, 

 Casnonia pennsylvanica, and Formica sanguinea, in small 

 quantities, have been found. From the small number 

 of coleoptera and bymenoptera that I have been able to 

 find, I incline to the opinion that this scarcity is to be 

 attributed either to general dislike for such fare, or to 

 its accidental presence. The examination of many 

 stomachs, without the slightest trace of insect remains, 

 seems to confirm the latter suspicion. 



It is mainly during the breeding-period that the 

 parent birds destroy vast number of noxious caterpillars, 

 and others. The principal insects which constitute the 

 dietary of the young then, are the larvse of Gortyna zece, 

 Anisopteryx vernata, A. pometaria, Zerene catenaria, Enno- 

 mos sabsignaria, Choerodes transversata, Hybernia tiliaria, 

 Pieris rapce, Colias philodice, Thecla hamuli, Utethesia bella, 

 Plasia precationis, and Orgyia leucostiyma, among lepidop- 



