130 _ USEFUL BIRDS. 
the time that could be spared for this kind of work. In 
1899, however, Mr. Mosher was detailed for this work early 
in the season, and instructed to spend such time daily as 
was necessary to observe the feeding of birds on these in- 
sects. He was requested also to make full notes each day. 
As many of these field notes as the available space will per- 
mit are given below. Many of the observations were made 
in the morning, but not during the earlier morning hours, 
when birds feed most actively. The weather being mild, on 
the 24th of April a few brown-tail moth larve that had win- 
tered on the trees began to craw] out. 
Apri, 24.—In Cambridge, near Fresh Pond, I 
saw a large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds foraging 
on a newly plowed field, and from a large pile of 
dressing they were taking flies. From a pear tree 
near by three of them took brown-tail moth larvee 
from the opening buds. They were in the tree seven- 
teen minutes, and were eating all the time. 
APRIL 26.—In Revere, near the Malden line, I 
found a pear tree with a brown-tail moth web on it. 
A pair of Crow Blackbirds came, and remained about 
forty-five minutes in that tree and the one adjoining. 
They plumed their feathers for a while, then began 
looking over the tree for food. They alighted sev- 
eral times on the branch that was most infested, and 
picked the larvee from the buds and from the crevices 
of the bark. 
A little later the tent caterpillars began 
Fig.41.—Webot hatching, under the influence of the warm 
the brown-tail spring sun, and the birds could find a few of 
moth caterpil- th 
lar, reduced. em. 
Apri, 27.—In Stoneham, off Forest Street, I observed the birds 
feeding on tent caterpillars. A Black and White Warbler came three 
different times, and took the small caterpillars from the buds. The 
Chickadees visited the bush, and took a few caterpillars. None seemed 
to take them from the web. The May flies were unusually plentiful, 
and the Least Flycatchers were feeding on them. 
‘APRIL 28.—-On Mr. Dutton’s estate, Malden, I saw Black and 
White Warblers feeding freely on tent caterpillars, and also Chickadees 
