20 FOOD HABITS OF THE GROSBEAKS. 
two or three days suffice to ruin a vineyard.” These insects have 
very long and spiny legs, and opinions differ as to whether birds 
eat them, some affirming that they do, others that they do not. Asa 
matter of fact, they are preyed upon by several wild birds, including 
the yellow-billed cuckoo, crow blackbird, kingbird, phoebe, green- 
Fic. 14.—Bose beetle (Macrodactylus subspinosus). (From Riley, Bureau of Entomology.) 
crested flycatcher, redheaded woodpecker, and cardinal, the last- 
named being one of the most important of their enemies. Four of 
the birds examined during the present investigation had eaten rose- 
beetles, each of them taking several, and on July 5, 1906, the writer 
watched a brood of.young which were being fed rose-chafers, remains 
Fic. 15.—Flower eating scarabeid (Zuphoria inda). (From Chittenden, Bureau of 
Entomology.) 
of 17 being recovered from ejecta. These facts indicate that the 
cardinal is so fond of the rose-beetle as to capture it whenever 
possible. This habit of'the bird, together with its inroads upon the 
vine-chafers of the family, are of considerable economic importance. 
Next in importance among beetles in the diet of the cardial 
grosbeak are the bronzy wood-borers (Buprestidee), which compose 
