452 The Robin's Food. [July, 
I observed that when at large and hungry, this robin would eat 
flies, moths, ants and worms, but never seemed to be able to ob- 
tain enough to satiate his inordinate appetite. 
When I found my search for beetles so poorly rewarded, I 
directed my attention to observations upon the feral members of - 
the genus Turdus, to learn, if possible, whether or not their ex- 
ertions were more fruitful. I found that they had about as much 
difficulty in procuring a livelihood as I had for my feathered 
ward. I also noticed that they were only- frugivorous when 
driven by hunger and the lack of an adequate supply of insects. 
That robins were strictly insectivorous as long as the supply was 
equal to the demand, and that they did not like Colorado beetles 
as an article of food. And, lastly, for every cherry or grape. 
they ate, they destroyed thousands of injurious insects. 
In the Armory grounds twenty-three pairs of robins were 
known to be nesting in one month. And since the young robin 
whose gastronomical feats have been narrated above, was found 
capable of eating seventy-two large beetles in one day, it is not 
unreasonable to assume that each bird would destroy at least 
one hundred insects per day, taking them as they come, small and 
large. Therefore, the forty-six birds known to feed on these grounds 
and vicinity, would require 4600 insects per diem, or in thirty. 
days they would despatch the large number of 138,000 insects! 
This quantity at first glance may seem to be a very large. esti- 
mate, but when it is remembered that each pair had a nest con- 
taining from one to four young which required food, and that 
have not been included in the above, it will be apparent, that it is 
rather an under than an over-estimate. 
Taking into consideration the rapid, and in many species mar- 
velous reproduction and increase of insect life, it will be seen 
that robins must exercise a considerable influence upon the ento- 
mological world, by preventing an undue increase of those species 
upon which they feed. When driven by hunger, and then only, 
in the opinion of the present writer, do these beautiful, sprightly 
birds attack our small fruits, 
Upon a small cherry tree near my house, to which these birds 
had undisturbed access, only about one cherry in twenty was 
found to be molested. Even had the loss been greater, how small 
would it be in comparison to the myriads of noxious insects 
destroyed annually by these feathered guardians alone. Still, we 
