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CIVIC BIOLOGY 



Family Ampelida (ampelus, "a vine") waxwings. The cedar wax- 

 wing, Bombycilla ccdrorum, known also as the cherry bird, is noted for 



destruction of 'cankerworms 

 in our orchards. 



Family Laniidce. (lanius, 

 " butcher ") shrikes. The 

 loggerhead shrike, Lanius lu- 

 dovicidnus, frequents hedge- 

 rows and borders of fields, 

 where it feeds upon insects, 

 field mice, and small birds. 

 In cities it is said to be of 

 some use in destroying Eng- 

 lish sparrows. Study the prob- 

 lem in your own locality. The 

 number of our most valuable 

 small birds chickadees and 

 wrens which the shrike 

 kills places it decidedly on 

 the questionable list. 



Family Vireonidce (vireo, 

 " a greenfinch ") the vireos 

 or greenlets. These birds of 

 the terminal foliage and pen- 

 sile nests are among the best 

 of our orchard and roadside insect police. We may certainly make the 

 acquaintance of at least three of the seven common species. 



Red-eyed vireo Vireosylva olicdcea. 

 Warbling vireo Vireosylva gilva. 

 Yellow-throated vireo Lanivireo fldvifrons. 



Family Mniotiltide (mnion, "moss"; tiltos, "pulled out") warblers. 

 To make the first acquaintance with this interesting and difficult family 

 we may begin with four of the common resident species. 



Black-and-white warbler Mniotilta vdria. 

 Yellow warbler Dendroica cestwa. 

 Ovenbird Scurus aurocapillus. 

 American redstart ISeiophaga ruticilla. 



Family Troglodytide (troglodyte, "cave dweller ") thrashers, wrens, 

 etc. Mocking bird Mimus polyglottos. This offers the problem of a rare 



FIG. 24. Remains of chickadee killed by 

 a shrike 



Photograph by the author 



