228 USEFUL BIRDS. 



The following, from Mr. Kirkland's notes, made at Mai- 

 den in 1896, shows that this bird is of value in woodlands, for 

 the observations were made in the woods : — 



A sawfly (probably Sclmidria) is at present one of the insects most 

 commonly devoured by the Baltimore Oriole. These l)irds are very 

 abundant around the experiment station, and I have repeatedly seen them 

 feeding upon these sawflies, even as early as 4.30 one bright morning. 

 By 6 or 7 o'clock these birds are well at work, feeding around the build- 

 ino-. I have seen them eat cankerworms, and, what was more interesting, 

 devour a lai-ge Tortricid larva, which rolls the leaves of the white oak. 

 This larva rolls the leaf around itself, thus forming a kind of cj'linder, 

 within which it feeds. TJie Orioles put their bills into one end of the 

 cylinder without tearing the leaf, and pull out the larva. 



