6 



BULLETIN 619, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



tainly useful in fertilizing flowers of plants. In many cases this func- 

 tion is essential, and without this intervention of insects many species 

 of plants would become extinct. On the other hand, there is no evi- 

 dence that plants suffer in any way from lack of insect service, and 

 it is probable that in this one respect the balance in nature is nearly 

 perfect and not likely to be disturbed by any increase of birds or 

 corresponding decrease of insects. The martin may safely be pro- 

 tected and encouraged. 



Following is a list of the insects identified in stomachs of purple 

 martins and number of stomachs in which found : 



ODONATA. 



Libellula sp 1 



ORTHOPTERA. 



Tettlw sp 5 



HEMIPTERA. 



Cicada sp 3 



Telamona sp 1 



Platycotis sp 1 



Micrutalis calva 1 



Podisus subspinosus . 1 



Euschistus inflatus 1 



Bolubea pugnax 1 



Xezara hilaris . 1 



Leptoglossus opposltus 2 



Metapodhis femoratus 1 



Anasa tristis 1 



Myodocha serrtpes 9 



Gerris sp ■■- 2 



LEPIDOPTERA. 



Vanessa atalanta .- 1 



COLEOPTERA. 



Cicindela sp 1 



Lebia sp 1 



Antsodactylus baltimorensis 1 



Rhanlus blstrlatus 1 



Tropisternus sp 1 



Cercyon ocellatus 1 



Creophilus villosus 2 



Philonthus sp 1 



Ulster abbreriatus 1 



Ulster ciuilis 1 



GlischrocMlus fasciatus 9 



Trogosita virescens 1 



Buprestls lineata 1 



Canthon sp 1 



Onthopliagus sp 1 



coleoptera — continued. 



Aphodius ftmetarms 20 



Aphodius inquinatus 19 



Aplwdius stercorosus 1 



Aphodius sp 3 



Dichelonycha sp 3 



Strlgoderma pygmwa 2 



Euphoria Inda 6 



Crlocephalus sp 1 



Typophorus vlttatus 1 



Colaspls brunnea 2 



Mylabris prosopis (Bruchus) 1 



Berropalpus barbatus 1 



Otiorhynehus ovatus 1 



Sltona hispidula 3 



Sltona flavescens 2 



Sltona sp 4 



Hypera punctata 9 



Endalus wratus 1 



Anthonomus grandis 2 



Tyloptcrus pallidas 1 



Balanlnus nasicus '. 1 



Balanlnus sp 13 



Sphenophorus pontederlw . 1 



Sphenophorus callosus 1 



Sphenophorus sp 1 



Platypus flavlcornts 2 



Xyleborus impressus : 1 



Tomleus calligraphus 1 



Ohramesus icorice 1 



HYMENOPTERA. 



Apis mellifera 5 



Chrysis sp 1 



Tiphla inornata 1 



Scambus sp 1 



Ichneumon irritator 1 



Chalcis sp 1 



Pogonomyrmex sp 1 



CLIFF, OR EAVES, SWALLOW. 



PetrocheUdon lunifrons. 



The cliff, or eaves, swallow (PI. I, lower figure) is found locally 

 throughout the United States. Its former and natural nesting site 

 was under an overhanging bank of earth, as along a stream or 

 under a cliff. Now the favorite spot for its nest is under the 

 eaves of a building or occasionally under a roof if there is free 



