54 FOOD HABITS OF THE GROSBEAKS. 
ber of species and because at times it makes scales a considerable part 
of its fare. These little pests can not have too many enemies for the 
good of mankind, and every bird that preys upon them should be wel- 
comed and protected. 
The rosebreast sometimes feeds upon plant lice (Aphidide), espe- 
cially those that live on birch; and a number of these fragile insects 
were found in a single stomach. Among other bugs, the odd little 
buffalo tree-hopper (Ceresa bubalus, fig. 32), and a few of the flower- 
bug and squash-bug families were found. Eight grosbeaks ate mem- 
bers of the stink-bug family. In feeding upon these insects the rose- 
breast gives further evidence of its indifference to flavors and odors 
which to us are repulsive and nauseating in the extreme. Two of the 
birds examined had devoured specimens of the banded soldier bug 
Fig. 32.—Buffalo tree-hopper (Ceresa bubalus). (From Marlatt, Bureau of Entomology.) 
(Milyas cinctus), which preys upon many insects, including the po- _ 
tato beetle, and of another assassin bug (Sinea diadema), which 
preys upon cankerworms and other caterpillars, besides flies and bees, 
including the honey bee. Were the habit of devouring such bugs 
general, injury would result, but fortunately it is not. According to 
B. F. Gault, the rosebreast feeds upon the chinch bug, which at times 
has proved the worst crop pest in the country. 
A remarkable feature of the rosebreast’s dietary is the few grass- 
hoppers eaten. These nutritious insects. which are welcomed by 
almost all birds, compose only 0.2 percent of the food of the whole 
number of grosbeaks examined. Results from the present collection 
of stomachs may not represent a fair average, but as proportionate 
numbers of the individuals examined were secured in the grass- 
