No. 4.] BIRDS AS PROTECTORS OF ORCHARDS. 349 



the English or house sparrow. We were careful, however, 

 to destroy the nests of the house sparrow. 



In the fall of 1894 it was noticed that immense numbers 

 of the wingless females of the fall canker-worm (Anisopteryx 

 pometaria) were ascending nearly all the trees and deposit- 

 ing their eggs ; also, that the eggs of the tent caterpillar 

 moths were numerous upon the twigs, promising a plentiful 

 supply of caterpillars for 1895. 



Having allowed the insects one year to increase unmo- 

 lested by man, we began in the winter of 1894-95 to encour- 

 age the presence of birds in the orchard. 



In 1894 a small tree in the centre of the orchard had been 

 enclosed by a high board fence. The tree thus enclosed 

 was used as an out-door experiment station for observations 

 on the breeding and habits of the gypsy moth. During the 

 winter of 1894-95, Mr. C. E. Bailey made frequent visits 

 to this tree to ascertain whether or not the birds were 

 destroying the eggs of the gypsy moth. Incidentally, Mr. 

 Bailey observed the feeding of birds on the eggs, larvae and 

 pupa? of insects which winter on the trees, and I am greatly 

 indebted to him for many interesting notes on the feeding 

 of birds in this orchard. He is a careful, conscientious 

 observer, and is intimately acquainted with most of our 

 native land birds. 



Hunters and trappers are aware that many species of 

 winter birds, such as titmice, woodpeckers, crows, jays and 

 nuthatches are attracted by a skinned carcass suspended 

 from a limb, and will remain in the vicinity until all the 

 bones are picked clean, or until, with the approach of 

 spring, insect food becomes more accessible. 



Believing from my own observations that the chickadees 

 (Pants atrica/pillus) were feeding on the eggs of the fall 

 canker-worm, I asked Mr. Bailey to attract the birds to the 

 orchard by suspending pieces of meat, bone, suet, etc., 

 from the trees. Those food materials are suitable for in- 

 sect-eating birds at times when the trees are covered with 

 snow or ice, and when, lacking such nourishment, they might 

 starve. Although birds will frequently visit bait provided 

 for them and in time will eat a considerable portion of the 



