299 



worms iu each, of course, varied, but as many as 

 twenty-two were taken from one stomach. In seven 

 some corn was found, in connection with a very large 

 excess of insects, to wit: Beetles, earthworms and cut- 

 worms. The remaining five showed chiefly beetles, 



THEY EAT SOME FRUIT. 



Comment is frequently made with regard to the Pur- 

 ple Grackles, as these birds are sometimes called, pil- 

 laging the cherry trees. To some extent tliis is true, 

 but certainly the amount of fruit taken is small, far 

 less than that injured by the Cedar or Cherry Bird. 



Strawberries, blackberries and other fruits are fed 

 upon, but to a very limited extent, by this species. 

 The diet of the young birds, while under parental care, 

 is almost exclu.sively insectivoro'us, consisting mainly 

 of caterpillars and grubs. 



It is a well established fact that they are given to 

 stealing the eggs of other birds, especially the common 

 Robin; and sometimes they kill and devour the young 

 of other birds. 



In referring to this species, Wilson very aptly re- 

 marks: 



"As some consolation to the industrious cultivator, I can 

 assure him that were I placed in his situation, I should hesi- 

 tate whether to consider those birds most as friends or enemies, 

 as they are particularly destructive to almost all the noxious 

 worms, grubs and caterpillars that infest his fields, which, 

 were they allowed to multiply unmolested, would soon con- 

 sume nine-tenths of all productions of his labor and desolate 

 the country with the miseries of famine." 



Attention is called to several series of stomach ex- 

 aminations, made at different periods during the past 

 twelve years, and fro-m such work tlio readoi* can draw 

 his own conclusions. 



