30 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



CUCULIDAE 



Cuckoos 



It is generally acknowledged that the cuckoos are an exception to the 

 usual rule that birds do not eat hairy caterpillars. There is no question as 

 to their value in this respect, and they feed mainly on medium sized and 

 larger caterpillars. The two common American species seem to prefer 

 hairy caterpillars to smooth ones, and their diet sometimes results in their 

 stomachs becoming lined with prickly hairs, the ends of which are imbedded 

 in the stomach walls. This, however, does not appear to inconvenience the 

 birds. Whether there is any other family that is as useful in this respect 

 as the cuckoos is still an open question. Our observations show that great 

 numbers are eaten by other birds. 



PICIDAE 



Woodpeckers 



Woodpeckers certainly do not destroy as many hairy caterpillars as the 

 cuckoos. They appear to take them only when they come in their way, fre- 

 quently maiming and killing without eating. 



TYRANNIDAB 



I^^lyca/cliei's 



The flycatchers eat very few hairy caterpillars but destroy a great many 

 imagos of the diurnal species, two kingbirds having been observed to kill 

 about 250 male moths of P o r t h e t r i a d i s p a r in less than three hours, 

 and many female moths as well. Many moths are destroyed on the wing 

 by flycatchers. 



Ci-ou's, /(TVS etc. 



This family is represented by the l)lue jay and crow, both species being 

 among the most useful in the destruction of medium sized and full grown 

 caterpillars. The observations on these birds made within the last three 

 years prove them to be more useful in this respect than was suspected. 

 They are continually feeding where outbreaks of hairy caterpillars occur, 

 eating both the caterpillars and pupae, and feeding them to their young. 

 These birds, because of their size and voracity, destroy large numbers of 

 larvae. Crows destroy fully as many pupae as larvae. 



ICTKKIDAE 



Orioles 



The Baltimore oriole and crow blackbird are exceedingly useful. As 

 the feeding habits of these birds have become better known their usefulness 

 in destroying hairy caterpillars has been recognized. They eat mainly 

 medium sized and larger larvae. 



