336 EEPORT UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



ing chirped a song as if to cbeer him, they flew into the garden ; when 

 they left, an hour or so after, the dreaded '' hoppers " were gone and his 

 garden saved. 



In some Instances gardens and other small areas of vegetables or 

 grain were effectually protected by poultry ; at Sioux City, Iowa, an 

 area of some four or five acres planted in vegetables, flowers, and a 

 little patch of wheat, by poultry (hens with young chickens) distributed 

 through it. One of the Commissioners visited it while the locusts were 

 very numerous all around, yet inside scarcely one could be found. 



Numerous instances have come to our knowledge of areas of several 

 acres being entirely cleared of eggs by poultry. As will be seen by 

 examining the extracts hereafter given, certain birds also take part in 

 destroying the eggs. 



The following extracts are from answers to the question in our circu- 

 lar inquiring as "To what extent have birds, domestic fowls, and other 

 animals, domestic or wild, been useful in destroying these insects f ^ 



DAKOTA. 



Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County. — They (birds, &c.) are destroying a great number. 



Willowtown, Armstrong County. — All feathered tribes seem to destroy them. 



Bon Homme, Bon Homme County. — Domestic fowls have destroyed many ; birds have 

 destroyed more than all other animals. 



Saylroolc, Clay County. — All kinds of birds and fowls. 



Walhalla, FemUna County. — Prairie chickens feed on the eggs ; their crops on being 

 opened appear to contain nothing but locusts, in their season. Domestic fowls, pigs, 

 and toads feed on them. 



Sioux Falls, Minnelialia County. — Birds have destroyed myriads, many fields having 

 been kept clean. 



Jamestown, Stutsman County. — In this section, blackbirds. 



Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County. — Birds, &c., prove very destructive, but do not seem 

 visibly to affect the numbers. At this season (May) the young, as fast as hatched, are 

 devoured by birds, &c. The birds will usually follow a team all day, going over 

 breakings where the team disturbs the eggs. Blackbirds and wheat-birds appear to 

 pick up the eggs. 



Madison, Lake County. — Nearly all domestic and wild birds. 



Spring Valley,^ Turner County. — Blackbirds and domestic fowls. 



Wahpeton, Richland County. — Domestic fowls. I have observed my tame crane gath- 

 ering them in. 



MINNESOTA. 



Heron Bale, Jaclson County. — A great many eggs and young locusts are destroyed by 

 all kinds of birds. 



Noru'ood, Carver County. — Domestic and wild birds do much good ; domestic turkey 

 the best. 



Worthingfon, JSfolles County. — All wild birds are very useful ; the tame ones seem to 

 tire after a few days. 



Albert Lea, Freeborn County. — Hens and chickens are of great benefit; will keep a 

 garden entirely free from 'hoppers. 



Dewald, Nobles County. — Birds are of great use, especially the blackbird and its vari- 

 eties. The prairie-hen and most other terrestrial birds do good service. 



Excelsior, Hennepin County. — Domestic fowls are very useful. 



Magnolia, Eock County. — They destroy an immense number. 



Lenhassen, Martin County.— Domestic and wild birds of all kinds have destroyed con- 

 siderable. 



