58 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



manner from those species that collect it from under the sur- 

 face. The swallows, that catch all their food while on the 

 wing, give proof by this habit that they pursue only winged 

 insects ; but their habits of foraging differ very essentially from 

 those of the pewees, who also catch all their food while on the 

 wing. The robin and the red-winged blackbird take their food 

 entirely from the ground ; but their ways, while seeking it, are 

 very different. Their respective habits of foraging are adapted 

 to the successful pursuit of the worms and insects that consti- 

 tute their principal food ; for although each of these birds will 

 devour the same kind of insects that come in their way, they 

 make certain kinds, respectively, the chief objects of their 

 pursuit. It is necessary to study all the different habits of 

 foraging, that mark the several species, in order fully to com- 

 prehend the principle which I wish to inculcate — that each 

 species of bird performs certain services in the economy of 

 nature, which cannot be so well accomplished by any other 

 species — and that it is necessary, therefore, for this end, to 

 preserve them all in their due proportions ; that is, in such 

 proportions as would spontaneously exist, if the whole race 

 were unmolested and left to their own natural chances of living 

 and multiplying. 



The Sylvians are among the most interesting foragers of the 

 smaller birds, and are remarkable for their apparent diligence 

 in hunting for insects. They have a peculiar way of examining 

 the foliage and blossoms, rather than the surface of the 

 branches, and their motions are, therefore, very conspicuous 

 upon the outer surface of the trees, near the extremities of 

 their branches. The golden robin hunts his food like the 

 Sylvians, though he is not one of them, and his motions are 

 more rapid and energetic than theirs. He arrives with the 

 first blossoming of the cherry trees, a coincidence which I have 

 noticed and recorded for several years past. This beautiful 

 bird is fond of certain insects that abound upon the leaves and 

 blossoms of trees ; and his northerly progress is probably regu- 

 lated by this supply, that comes along with the opening of 

 spring. No sooner does he arrive than he may be seen rigor- 

 ously examining the leaves and blossoms, and catching small 

 beetles and moths which are concealed upon the under surface 

 of the foliage, and in the cup of the flower. This bird is con- 



