25 



contains a minute green larva which evidently hibernates as such, 

 probably pupating in the spring. The larva undoubtedly feeds on 

 the leaves of the apple-tree, as these cocoons were taken from the 

 small twigs at the extreme end of a large branch. Some of these 

 cocoons are empty and have a minute hole at one end, which proba- 

 bly served for the egress of some small parasite. These cocoons 

 are eaten by the chickadee, and have been found in the gizzards of 

 the birds." 



The case-bearers and the tineids or leaf miners are injurious to 

 the foliage of the apple-trees. 



It was noticed by Mr, Bailey, who watched the birds closely for 

 several days, that they were eating quantities of both of these 

 insects. It would have been impossible for any one to determine 

 the species of the leaf miners as found in the birds' stomachs, for 

 little remained but small fragments of the shell of the creature. 

 Mr. Bailey noticed that the birds were taking objects from the 

 twigs, some of which they ate ; others they rejected and dropped 

 upon the snow. Some of those dropped he picked up and exam- 

 ined, finding them to be parasitized. The birds undoubtedly ate 

 only those which were alive. 



It was evident from a careful examination of the eggs found in 

 the stomachs of the chickadees that they were either broken by the 

 bill in such a way that the contents were exposed to the action of 

 the gastric juice or the gastric fluid destroyed a portion of the shell. 

 Occasionally a few eggs which appeared to be whole were found in 

 the intestines. 



A great quantity of animal food is required to sustain life and 

 provide animal heat sufficient to enable these little birds to 

 resist the inclemency of our severe winters. In proof of this it 

 may be stated that during favorable weather the birds visited the 

 meat and ate largely of it three times each hour with fair regularity. 

 During each interval they were occupied in destroying eggs and 

 other hibernating insect forms which were always present and 

 numerous in the stomachs examined. This feeding appeared 

 to be almost continuous except in severe storms when the 

 birds sought shelter or when they were laboring under excite- 

 ment caused by fear, as in the case of a visit from a hawk, cat or 

 shrike. Whenever a cat appeared they immediately hid behind 

 the branches and remained quiet until the intruder had passed. 

 The appearance of other enemies or the firing of a gun would pro- 

 duce much the same effect. 



The woodpeckers and nuthatches which frequented the orchards 

 were not seen to eat the eggs of the canker-worm moth. As they 

 were not numerous, none were killed. Mr. Bailey observed, how- 



