190 



INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 



Several species of insectivorous birds occur in the 

 Lesser Antilles. The Barbados blackbird (Quiscalus for- 

 tirostris), the tick-bird or old witch (Crotophaga am) and 

 the loggerhead are conspicuous examples ; while certain 

 hawks and many smaller birds are largely or partly insect 

 feeders. 



The blackbirds are very keen hunters for insects. 

 They may often be seen in a corn field, searching the cen- 

 tres of the plants and the tips of the ears for the boll 

 worm and corn ear worm, which they are very successful 



Fig. 180. Fungus growing 1 on a moth. 

 (Original ) 



in finding and capturing. They also follow the plough, or 

 labourers forking or hoeing in the field, inspecting the 

 newly upturned earth and greedily devouring the insects 

 and worms that are exposed. They may also often be 

 seen picking ticks off cattle on the pasture, and this habit 

 is shared by the tick-bird. The loggerhead is swift of 

 flight and probably captures its prey in the air. 



Turkeys, Guinea fowls and the common domestic fowl 

 are all keen hunters for insects, which they capture and 

 devour in large numbers, 



