was thus 



remained of the plague-stricken caterpillars. 



I.ii localities where the caterpillars died this season in tin's 

 wholesale manner, it woul 1 seem that little need he fenred from 

 caterpillar attacks for the coming year. 



In what manner the fungus disease started is not known. 

 Possibly it found entrance among the wounded caterpillars that 

 predaceous hugs had stabbed, in one or two localities there 

 seemed to he some indication that such was the case. Once 

 well >tarted it would not he difficult for the disease to spread 

 rapidl v for the fungus penetrates throughout the bo'ly of the 

 caterpillar, and. the spores are thrown to considerable distance 

 in all directions so that they light upon caterpillars below, or 

 upon parts of the tree over which health}- caterpillars would 

 travel. I'oilisns iiiodcstns was observed repeatedly in close 

 proximity to diseased caterpillars, and it is not unlikely that 

 such hugs would transfer iungus spores from sick caterpillars 

 to healthy ones. 



It is worth recording in this respect that this fungus outbreak 

 came in a dry season. At Hampshire Hill, Mercer, for instance, 

 it had rained but twice in the month (July r/ and July 271 

 previous to the height of the fungus disease which occurred 

 July 28 to August T. This severe fungus atta'ck at .Mercer 

 occurred over an area the altitude of which was from 680 to 

 1020 feet, reaching the summit of the bill. Although it was a 

 particularly drv season, various species of caterpillars were 

 attacked by fungus all over the State about this time, though in 

 man\- localities the saddled prominents had become full fed and 

 safely pupated before the fungus developed. 



P.IRD ENEMIES. 



As a rule soft bodied caterpillars are soon checked by birds. 

 In order to form some estimation of the role birds were taking 

 in the present outbreak, observations of badly infested areas 

 were planned for this year. This could not be carried out until 

 late July and early August, and it chanced that each place 

 selected for the desired data was experiencing a wholesale 

 fungus attack which naturally interfered with bird diet. 



The following list of Maine birds, however, gives species 

 which are undoubtedly beneficial. Of these 45 are reported as 



