Birds observed at Montreal. 415 
do, as the species is not represented in our collections. In- 
deed I have not seen it on any Montreal list, although I 
believe it has been observed on Nun’s Island by Mr. Dunlop. 
Quite a number of rails were heard and seen in the pond, 
one of which was secured and proved to be the Virginia 
Rail, Rallus Virginianus. As both these species frequented 
the pond until the summer was well advanced, they no 
doubt, reared at least one brood, their hiding habits enabling 
them to escape the dangers by which they were surrounded, 
while the blackbirds, not availing themselves of this pro- 
tection, were, early in the season, either killed or driven 
away. 
The important question of the food habits of birds, and 
their influence upon the insect world, has not yet received 
the attention which it deserves ; and with the exception of 
the few who have investigated the matter, the general 
opinion is, | think, that birds are, with very few exceptions, 
highly beneficial, and that insects are, with equally few ex- 
ceptions, exceedingly injurious, or in other words, that if the 
birds did not eat the insects and thus reduce their numbers, 
they would multiply to such an extent as to entirely destroy 
all vegetation, 
While freely admitting the charm which the beauty and 
melody of the birds gives to the summer, and fully endors- 
ing the laws enacted for their protection, I incline to the 
opinion that their practical value has been over-estimated. 
It is obvious to any one who has given the subject a little 
attention that there are some kinds of insects that birds do 
not care to eat, for example,the hairy caterpillars, prominent 
amongst which are the Tent caterpillars, Clisiocampa Ameri- 
cana, and ©, Silvatica. These troublesome insects are more 
or less common every summer, and during some years 
become excessively numerous. When first hatched they 
conceal themselves beneath a web, but when about half: 
vrown, scatter over the trees, and may be seen resting in 
groups on the trunks and larger limbs. I have seen 
thousands thus exposed, but have never seen a bird eat one, 
or indeed notice them in any way. I have, however, on two 
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