°' 1 9n J Recent Literature. 139 



both agencies are illustrated (fig. 20). On page 57 of the same publica- 

 tion it is stated that a hummingbird (probably Trochilus alexandri) was 

 seen hovering about the heads of sorghum and to all appearances feeding 

 on the midges. 



Mr. C. N. Ainslie ' comments on the natural enemies of the New Mexico 

 range caterpillar (Hemileuca oliirice), a pest which has wrought steadily 

 increasing damage for several years. Mr. Ainslie mentions seeing several 

 Robins feeding on the caterpillars and adds (p. 95): "The importation 

 of birds to feed on the caterpillars has been suggested, but in the infested 

 regions the wide treeless plains afford but little encouragement for nesting 

 birds. Besides this, it is a lamentable and criminal fact that in spite of 

 laws that are designed for the protection of bird life in New Mexico, a 

 constant and indiscriminate slaughter of all sorts of birds is in perpetual 

 progress until the companionable species and those of high economic 

 importance have been practically exterminated in many parts of the 

 Territory. This condition of things may possibly account, in some meas- 

 ure, for this Hemileuca invasion, and may in the not remote future bring 

 into prominence other insects now few and harmless, but multiplying 

 because their bird foes have perished at the hands of hunters. This bids 

 fair to become a serious matter, and not alone in New Mexico." 



The store of information about bird food in the Biological Survey, the 

 accumulation of 25 years of research, is again drawn upon for a list of the 

 bird enemies of crane flies (Tipulida>). The depredations of these insects 

 range from local injuries in pastures and hayfields to the devastation of 

 thousands of acres of grain crops and grass lands. Flighty-six species of 

 birds are known to feed upon Tipulids and their eggs, showing a preference 

 for these pests, that should be given substantial appreciation. "Among 

 the birds which are known to feed upon the Tipulidse, either as eggs, 

 larva?, or adults, probably the most important are the Wood Thrush 

 (Hylocichla mustelina), the Alice Thrush (Hylocichla alicioe), the Catbird 

 {Dumetella carolinensis), the Robin (Planesticus migratorius) , and the 

 Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Of the total stomach contents of 22 

 specimens of the Wood Thrush, examined at the Illinois State Laboratory 

 of Natural History, 12 per cent was made up of tipulid fragments, while 

 11 specimens of the Alice Thrush contained 8 per cent of tipulid frag- 

 ments." 2 An important publication of the Bureau of Entomology deals 

 with 'Plant Bugs Injurious to Cotton Bolls.' 3 While no specific mention 

 of bird enemies is made, space is given to a discussion of the prevalent 

 idea that the offensive odor of bugs protects them from birds. "With- 

 out this supposition" the author says, "the object and origin of odoriferous 

 glands may be difficult to explain, but studies in the feeding habits of 



i Bull. 85, Pt. 5, Bur. Ent., June, 1910, pp. 93 and 95. 



2 Hyslop, James A. Bull. 85, Part 7, Oct. 1910, p. 129. 



3 Morrill, A. W. Bull. 86, June, 1910. 



