128 ACTIVE GLEANERS 



that no insect should be left alive, and birds of less 

 regular habits pick them up indiscriminately wherever 

 they can be found. Where bird activity is unmolested 

 it seems almost strange that any insects escape. All 

 are devoured at sight. Even the obnoxious Potato 

 Beetle, once regarded as enjoying immunity, is food 

 for the Whip-Poor-Will. When the nestlings are first 

 demanding attention the greatest destruction occurs. 

 Although parent birds may show a preference 

 for fruit and other delicacies, the young demand an 

 insect diet. That accounts for the insectivorous 

 activity of the Catbird, the Brown Thrasher, the 

 Robin, and other birds which show an epicurean 

 weakness for fruit in season. The crusade against all 

 kinds of insects is joined by the Blackbird and other 

 grain-eaters. Even such marauders and outlaws as 

 the Crow and the English Sparrow like to treat their 

 young to an insect feast. The Ruby-throated Hum- 

 ming-bird, dainty enough to subsist on the nectar of 

 flowers, is a plebeian feeder on Gnats, Ants, Flies, 

 and minute parasitic Wasps. The Sparrow-hawk 

 lives largely on Grasshoppers, but more formidable 

 members of the family do not descend to insect food. 

 Partridge, Quail, and Prairie Chickens, destructive 

 grain and bud-eaters as they are, feed their young 

 on Grasshoppers, Beetles, Cutworms, Caterpillars, 

 Maggots, Chinch Bugs, and similar delicacies. 

 Although this destruction goes on by night as well 



