288 USEFUL BIRDS. 
worms and other insects were plentiful. This shows what 
an extraordinary number of cutworms Robins 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 (Jsta 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 
ge ger the Robin renders no greater service on the 
Robins. farm than the destruction of the white grubs 
of May beetles and so-called “June bugs” of the genus 
Lachnosterna. 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 difficult 
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 
