FOOD HABITS OP THE GEOSBEAKS. 



A little more than 7.1 out of a total of v 8.73 percent of grain eaten 

 by the cardinal grosbeak is corn, while other cereals, including wheat, 

 oats, sorghum, and rice, constitute the remaining 1.62 percent. Eleven 

 birds had eaten oats, 4 wheat, 2 sorghum, and 1 rice, but so trifling 

 is the percentage of these grains that practically no damage is done 

 except under very unusual conditions, such as the concentration of a 

 great number of redbirds in a small area; but this is improbable, 

 because the redbird usually is nongregarious. 



, In regard to corn, however, which was eaten by 68 of the birds 

 examined, more extended consideration is desirable. The redbird's 

 fondness for Indian corn is noted by many writers, biit extensive 

 injury to the crop is charged by very few. Leverett M. Loomis,'^ in 

 writing of the birds of South Carolina, says the cardinal is " held in 

 considerable ill repute because of its alleged depredations on newly 

 planted com." A correspondent in Alabama writes that the redbird 

 is injurious to corn in the roasting-ear stage, and that it also " pulls 

 the corn in the spring when it is just up with two or three leaves." 

 Little direct evidence concerning the redbird's depredations on corn 

 is derivable from our examinations, because none of the birds studied 

 .were collected in newly planted fields or where corn was exposed to 

 attack. It should be stated, however, that during March, April, and 

 May, which months cover the planting seasons from southernmost 

 United States to Canada, less than the average amount of corn is con- 

 sumed. Corn constitutes a greater proportion^ of the food in ^Tanuary 

 than in any other month, and practically all eaten at this season is 

 waste. So also in November and December, when corn makes up 4 

 and 7 percent, respectively. Waste grain is often eaten in spring and 

 even in midsummer, according to observations by the writer. 



The cardinal is said to bore into grain stacks and also to visit corn- 

 cribs in winter, but probably it does so only under stress of unusual 

 circumstances, as deep snow, and in all likelihood the damage is 

 trivial. Lining the crib with medium-meshed wire netting, which 

 can be done at small cost, will prevent access by the birds, and at the 

 same time guard against attacks of rodents and poultry, while in no 

 way interfering with the necessary ventilation. 



Considerable corn is eaten by the redbird during June, July, and 

 August, and a portion of this may be pilfered from the standing 

 crop. At this season, however, the birds are scattered, and it is not 

 likely that much damage results in any one locality. 



From the above it appears that present evidence does hot suffice 

 to determine the exact relation of the redbird to the corn crop, 

 although, so far as it goes, it is in the bird's favor. To summarize : 



oAuk. VI 1,-1890, p. 125. 



