288 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



the dead army- worms could be found around their nesting places, as I found by in- 

 specting the nests with some other persons to whom I communicated my observation. 

 When feeding their broods they also catch caterpillars, locusts, butterflies, etc. (Sep- 

 tember 30, 1886. Present about nine years.) 



Griggsville. T. W. Parker: So far as I have noticed it destroys insects only to a 

 very limited extent. I have seen it feed on grasshoppers. (September 22, 1886. 

 Present about four years.) 



Johnsonville (village). Jas. J. Johnson: In the brooding season it carries to its 

 young a great many insects. The larvae of the May-beetle seem to be a favorite 

 food, and any other grub- worm or larva is taken. (March, 1837. Present three or 

 four years.) 



New Alliens. August Gierschner : Ifc has been of marked benefit to the farmer. In 

 the spring it eats many of all sorts of caterpillars, and even during winter it picks off 

 many larvae wherever it finds them. It also destroys larvae of butterflies, moths, and 

 bugs. * * * I have not noticed that he destroys any of our most hurtful insects* 

 such as the army-worm, chinch-bug, Hessian fly, potato-bug, etc. (October 5, 1886. 

 Present about fourteen years.) 



Quincy. J. H. Richardson : It destroys very few insects, if any. I can find no one 

 of our farmers who thinks them a benefit ; they all tell me they are a great nuisance. 

 (October 4, 1886. Present about sixteen years.) 



Roberts. E. O. Newman: In rearing its young it feeds them on all kinds of worms 

 and small caterpillars. (September 27, 1886. Present about eight years.) 



Bock Island. W. H. Hatch : I have never observed it feeding on insects, nor have 

 I been able to find any on dissection. (October 25, 1886.) 



West Belleville. George C. Bunsen : It will occasionally eat grasshoppers. (Au- 

 tumn, 1885.) 



Indiana.— Brazil. D. W. Brattin : I have observed it closely, but never saw it feed- 

 ing on insects, although the latter were abundant. (September 1, 1886. Present 

 about seven years.) 



Broohville. Amos W. Butler : The army-wornrand seventeen-year cicada are more 

 largely eaten here by the English Sparrow than by any other bird we have. (Autumn, 

 18-5.) 



Edwardsville. Edwin Yenowine: One case of marked benefit to the farmer has 

 been noticed, viz, their taking cabbage- worms, I think for their young. (September 

 7, 1886. Present about four years.) 



Evansville. Dr. William Weber : It has been of marked benefit to the farmer by 

 destroying the white miller moth, cabbage-worm, and numerous other worms and in- 

 sects when it has young. It does not destroy the common caterpillar so much, but 

 prefers the moth. (October 15, 1886. Present about thirteen years.) 



Greencastle. W. H. Ragan : It certainly feeds on injurious insects at times. I 

 often observed it feeding on the seventeen-year cicada during their prevalence in' 

 1885, and have also noticed it feeding on the tent-caterpillar, and in one instance on 

 the fall web-worm. From good authority I am persuaded that it also sometimes feeds 

 on the cabbage- worm (Pleris rwpos}. (September 28, 1886.) 



In regard to the fall web-worm, the case referred to occurred in August last. A 

 single bird, industriously engaged in the midst of a web, seemed to be feeding on the 

 larvae. After observing him for some moments he flew down to the fence near me 

 with a larva in his beak, and there deliberately devoured it. This is the only instance 

 of the kind which I have personally observed, but my esteemed friend, Hon. Sylvester 

 Johnson, of Irvington, this State, president of the Indiana Horticultural Society, has 

 more than once reported having caught them in the act. (July 4, 1887. Present 

 about fifteen years.) 



Irvington. Hon. Sylvester Johnson : It destroys the cabbage- worm, and the plum- 

 curculio when shaken from the tree. (September 20, 18S6. Present about sixteen 

 years. ) 



