OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 15 



The flight of the Wood Robin is but slightly 

 elevated, and less sustained than that of the com- 

 mon Robin; but decidedly more graceful. Unlike 

 the latter much of its time is spent upon the 

 ground in foraging for food. Later in the season 

 when caterpillars and berries are abundant, it is 

 less terrestrial and more arboreal. 



Like the Robin it frequently visits our orchards 

 while in bloom, not more for the insects that lurk 

 in the blossoms of the cherry and apple, than for 

 the tender stamens and immature ovaries them- 

 selves. Besides the fruits of the above plants 

 which it esteems a great luxury, it possesses a 

 decided relish for those of the cultivated varieties of 

 Fragaria and the wild Rubus. The berries of the- 

 Red Cedar and Common Juniper are also de- 

 voured with a gusto, together with the seeds of 

 many of our commonest weeds and grasses. The 

 accompanying list embraces a few of the many 

 insects which it aids its fellow-creatures in holding 

 in check. Among beetles may be enumerated 

 Harpalus pensylvanicus, PL compar, Pangus caligi- 

 nosus, Gi'atonychus cinercus, Casnonia pensylva- 

 nica, Scarites subterraneus, Platynus cupripennis, 

 Lachnostema quercina, Thaneroclerus sanguineus, 

 Ptinus humeralis; among orthoptera, the young of 

 CEdipoda sulphured, CE nebulosa, Caloptenus femur- 

 rubriim ; among the diptera or two-winged flies, 

 Musca domestica, Tabanus lineola, T. cinctus, 

 Syrphus obliquus, Stomoxys calcitrans, Culex 

 t&niorkynckus ; among lepidoptera which em- 



