CROP ENEMIES AND FRIENDS 



227 



Baltimore Oriole. The Baltimore oriole is one of our hand- 

 somest birds, and is a sweet singer as well as a useful insect-eater. 

 Caterpillars form the largest part of its fare during its summer stay 

 in our country. It eats 

 other insects, including 

 harmful plant lice, which 

 are so small that they 

 are searched out by few 

 other birds. Less than 

 one fifth of its food is 

 vegetable, and that is 

 wild fruit and seeds. 



Wren. The little 

 house wrens are common 

 in gardens and orchards. 

 They live almost entirely 

 on insects, such as grass- 

 hoppers, beetles, -cater- 

 pillars, and bugs. Since 

 practically all the insects 

 they destroy are injuri- 

 ous, they should be en- 

 couraged to take up their 

 residence near houses, 

 by having nesting boxes provided. These should be fastened out 

 of reach of cats. 



Chickadee. The chickadee is one of our tiny bird friends. It 

 feeds on small insects, such as bark lice, and on insect eggs which 

 escape the notice of most other birds. 



Bluebird. The pretty and common bluebird is another useful 

 friend. About three fourths of its food is insects, chiefly grass- 



Bluebird at edge of nest, with grasshopper in its 

 mouth 



