﻿n6 Bird -Lore 



' Forest and Stream ' noted the same habit. A few years later I made some 

 interesting observations in a small field of potatoes near my house. No 

 remedial measures were applied to the crop, but both beetles and birds were 

 given a fair field and no favors. At first the insects increased in numbers in 

 spite of the daily visits of the birds, but when the young of the latter were 

 hatched, the numbers of the beetles began to diminish rapidly, and when 

 the young birds were fledged and were brought by their parents and placed 

 in a row upon the fence around the field, the insects rapidly disappeared, 

 and when I examined the field a week later I could not find a single beetle, 

 either young or adult. About this time the birds began to prey upon some 

 peas in my garden, and I shot one of them and examined the contents of its 

 stomach. It consisted of one large green caterpillar (Sphingidae) , several 

 potato beetles, and a few fragments of peas. My conclusion was that the 

 few peas taken had been well paid for. However, I hung an old coat on a 

 pole near the pea vines, and the birds came near them no more. All of the 

 above observations were made in the state of Iowa, which was one of the 

 first states to suffer from the attacks of the beetles on their eastward march. 

 Since then this habit of the Grosbeak has been confirmed by thousands 

 of observers in all parts of the country where the potato -beetle and the bird 

 are found. As this insect is eaten by but few species of birds, it is especially 

 desirable that this one, that eats it so freely, should be preserved and its 

 increase be encouraged in every possible manner. Forty years ago this birdi 

 was rare in New England, — in fact, was entirely unknown in many places,, 

 but it is now fairly abundant there, and it may be that it has been attracted^ 

 to that section of the country by the presence of the potato-beetles, whichi' 

 furnish so large a portion of its food. I believe it is possible to prevent its] 

 depredations upon peas (the only harm that I have ever heard it accused of),)] 

 and its value as an insect -destroyer forbids its wanton destruction." 



Questions for Teachers and Students 



What is the local name of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak in your locality? Describe o 

 imitate its song What is its alarm or call-note? Can you identify the Rose-breaste 

 Grosbeak, Robin and Scarlet Tanager by their songs if the birds are nc seen? How d< 

 the songs of the three birds differ? What is the peculiarity of the bill of e Rose-breaste 

 Grosbeak? How does it differ from the bill of the Robin? Compare s. e and shape c 

 these two birds. Describe nest of Rose-breasted Grosbeak, materials, size, height fronl 

 ground, location, in bush or tree, kind of tree. Is it saddled or pendent? Trace wintej 

 and summer habitat on map. Tell what you know of migration. When does the Rosefj 

 breasted Grosbeak arrive in your locality in spring? When does it leave? Describe i 

 food. Make drawings of Colorado beetle in adult and larval form. Does this beetle d 

 stroy the fruit or plant? What other food does the Grosbeak eat, insect and vegetable? 1 

 what locations have you found the Grosbeak? What is an insecticide? Describe tl 

 arbutus; where is it found? When? How many species of violets are found in yoi' 

 locality? 



