No. 390. ] SECURING INSECTS FROM BIRDS. 475 
especially in the families Coccinellidze and Chrysomelidæ. In 
the Coccinellidze we have showy insects, ill-scented or flavored, 
that are eaten by but very few birds —the flycatchers and 
swallows ; and hence here is a whole family which conforms 
well with the theory of warning coloration. Blue jays, song 
sparrows, thrashers, and other birds, when caged, refuse even 
when hungry these little beetles. 
Turning to the family Chrysomelidz, we have the potato 
beetle, that is refused by the catbird, blue jay, and song sparrow, 
and disgorged after being eaten by the thrasher. Several 
other examples might be mentioned, but when we come to the 
green Chrysomelids, especially the smaller ones, the efficiency 
is greatly reduced; the metallic tints that were supposed to 
always warn off birds are constantly disregarded, and we have 
many birds eating green Chrysomelids. Diabroticas are not 
often eaten and have been refused by song sparrows, but were 
greedily devoured by catbirds and thrashers. The elm leaf- 
beetle is almost protectively colored, but relies upon something 
else, perhaps its secretions, for protection. This insect is re- 
fused by many birds, but is occasionally eaten by the cedar 
bird. Galerucella sagittaria is also avoided. 
The smaller Carabid beetles, whether stinking or not, seem 
to be eaten by practically all land birds. A song sparrow 
which was fed with a Chlznius was ill for twenty minutes, and 
then next day picked at but refused another. This same bird 
relished the stinking Nebria and Agonoderus. Crows, black- 
birds, and jays relish Calosoma scrutator. 
Crows and blackbirds have been known to feed Galerita, a 
very strong-smelling beetle, to their young. It seems in- 
credible that birds should be able to eat Galerita, Calosoma, 
Carabus, and the larger Cychrus. Many birds eat species of 
Harpalus; the crow and the blackbirds are especially fond 
of Harpalus caliginosus and pennsylvanicus. 
There are a score of smaller Carabidae and Chrysomelidz 
(metallicly and conspicuously colored) which are habitually 
eaten by birds that have an abundance of other insect food to 
pick from. On one farm I found fourteen species of birds prey- 
ing upon Odontata dorsalis, and seven upon Systena tentata. 
