288 USEFUL BIRDS. 



worms and other insects were plentiful. This shows what 

 an extraordinary number of cutworms Eobins will eat, even 

 when other insect food may easily be had. 



They are not at all particular regarding the kind of cater- 

 pillars they secure, but feed eagerly on most common species ; 

 even the woolly bear {Isia isabella) falls a victim. Wher- 

 ever the gipsy moth, the brown-tail moth, or 

 the forest tent moth swarm, the Robin eats 

 their caterpillars. All the spanworms seem 

 to be favorite morsels. The Robin takes can- 

 kerworms, tent caterpillars, curculios, leaf- 

 eating and wood-boring beetles, and ground 

 beetles. Many wireworms are taken, but 

 ^grobf eaTe^'^by ^hc Robin renders no greater service on the 

 Bobins. farm than the destruction of the white grubs 



of May beetles and so-called " .Tune bugs " of the genus 

 Lachnostema. These white grubs, if unchecked, destroy 

 the roots of grasses to such an extent that they ruin the 

 sod of meadows and fields, killing all the grass. In such 

 cases the top of the dead turf may be peeled off, a mere 

 worthless mass of dead, straw-like vegetation. The grubs 

 cut off strawberry plants just below the ground, killing the 

 plants and sometimes ruining whole beds. Corn and other 

 grains are destroyed. Potatoes, turnips, carrots, and root 

 crops of all kinds are eaten and ruined. Where the grubs 

 are plentiful, hardly a plant is safe from their ravages. 

 By reason of their subterranean habits, they are so diflScult 

 of control that were they not checked by their natural ene- 

 mies it might be impossible for the farmer to raise hay, grain, 

 or vegetables. Careful observation during three years on a 

 farm convinced me that the Robin ranks first among the 

 natural enemies of the white grub. In 1901 my garden was 

 seriously infested with white grubs ; there was some fear that 

 it would be difficult to raise either strawberries or roots ; but 

 it was soon seen that something was digging funnel-shaped 

 holes along the rows, and taking out the grubs. A close 

 watch was kept, to discover the author of this good work, 

 and it was invariably found to be the Robin. The birds 

 seemed to locate the grubs either by sight or hearing, and 



