AVES 



243 



and berries taken. The large number of cutworms, grass- 



hoppers, and beetles eaten more than compensates for the 



little fruit taken. _ __ __ i 



Six robins shot in 



Nebraska contained 



two hundred and 



sixty-five Rocky 



Mountain locusts 



and eighty-four 



other insects. 



The wood thrush 

 (Turdus mustelinus) 

 adds much to the 

 charm of the wood- 

 lands in eastern 

 United States by the 

 melody of its liquid, 

 flute-like note. It 

 remains in the North 

 during the summer 

 only, while its relative, the bluebird, a voracious insect 

 eater, dwells throughout the year in the latitude of New 

 York and southward. Meat bones hung in the trees 

 in winter and small boxes with inch and a quarter 

 entrances nailed up ten feet above the ground for 

 homes in summer will do much toward attracting this 

 valuable and beautiful blue-backed gem about the yard. 



It is estimated that a brood of five young during their 

 thirteen days of home life will consume over one thou- 

 sand harmful insects, and more than half of the parents' 

 food consists of these injurious creatures. 



m ' ~ Nest of s ^ tograph ne fourth 



