EVIDENCE. RELATION TO INSECTS. 295 



and while chasing a rare Cincindela [tiger-beefcle] in one of our streets, found a 

 swifter competitor in a Sparrow, which caught the insect on the wing. (1885.) 



Buffalo. Dr. W. H. Bergtold: I have repeatedly seen it catch insects in the same 

 way the various flycatchers obtain their food. It also feeds its young almost exclu- 

 sively on larva*, at least while they are quite young. (August 21, 1836. Present 

 twelve or fifteen years.) 



Constantia. Wallace D. Rhines : It feeds on insects when it can not get grain food. 

 I have seen it destroy quite a number of grasshoppers, but no other insects. (August 

 23, 1886. Present four or five years.) 



Flushing. D. C. Beard: He refuses to eat the hairy caterpillars. The canker- 

 worm has diminished about here, but its place is more than filled by the hairy larva3. 

 (Present about ten years.) 



Gansevoort. Joseph W. Shurter : Possibly when it can get nothing else it may eat 

 insects, but I have examined the crops of perhaps twenty Sparrows at different sea- 

 sons and invariably found nothing but grain or seeds therein. (February 4, 1883. 

 Present about eight years.) 



Lockport. Lewis H. Hill: I have watched them this year on the plum tree, and 

 have seen them open the leaf that had been rolled and eat the worm that it con- 

 tained. (September 3, 1886.) 



New York. Dr. F. Hollick : The Sparrow's consumption of insect eggs in winter 

 is a service which, I think, is overlooked. (September 2, 1884.) 



New Yorlc. Hon. Robert B. Roosevelt : AYe must not forget the good the Sparrow 

 has done. When first imported our city trees were annually denuded of every leaf, 

 while the measuring or inch worms hung in festoons in our streets, suspended from 

 the boughs by their webs. They had invaded the smaller parks and threatened soon 

 to destroy all hope of verdure and to kill the struggling trees. * * * Thousands 

 could he counted at one time in Uniou Square swinging in the breeze and consti- 

 tuting a net-work of repnlsiveness. To-day, thanks to the English Sparrow, and 

 to him alone, the measuring-worm hardly exists and never causes perceptible dam- 

 age. That one good action entitles the author of it to protection. I can not tell you 

 scientifically what insects the Sparrow eats. I can only give you the outcome of my 

 individual experience, and am well aware that most birds destroy the day millers, 

 when it is the night-flyers which are most injurious. But the Sparrow certainly does 

 more good than any other kind — yes, than any dozen kinds we haVe. (August 8, 

 1886.) 



New York. A. Church : Their favorite food, especially that of the young, consists 

 mostly of ants, worms, flies, and millers, altogether soft food, not grain or seeds. I 

 also notice that the currant bushes in one place are in a thriving condition, owing to 

 the Sparrow's eating the worms which had formerly destroyed the leaves and fruit. 

 The Sparrow is very fond of all such worms, but does not like caterpillars which have 

 hair on them, and these no bird that I know of will eat. On the whole I consider 

 the Sparrow a beuefit to the country. (March 27, 1884.) 



Old Wesibury (country). John D. Hicks: It feeds upon insects in the summer, 

 particularly when it has young, but neither more nor less than the song sparrow and 

 allied birds. When the army-worm was abundant, the Sparrow was one of its most 

 vigilant and persistent destroyers. (September 6, 1836. Present about twenty 

 years.) 



Phccnix. Beu jamin F. Hess : During the hay-making season I have seen the males 

 capture a great many small insects for the young. It most commonly destroys grass- 

 hoppers, but only to a small extent. (August 25, 1886. Present about two years.) 



Poughktcpstc. Dr. Alfred Hasbrouck : Occasionally it catches a spider, fly, or some 

 other insect The nature of the food has been determined by observation and by dis- 

 section. I have examined many, and have never found an insect. I do not think the 

 effect on insect life is appreciable. (September 9, 1834. Present about twenty years.) 



Eochesttr. H. M. Jennings: It does not feed upon insects under any circumstances,, 



