BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 



11 



of certain species of birds examined. The larva bores in the stalks 

 of the sugar cane, and the adult insect, a long-snouted weevil, hides 

 at the bases of the leaves. It is not at present known to injure other 

 crops. The adult alone is available as food for birds. Fragments of 

 these beetles were found in the following : 



Per cent. 

 Mozambique (Holoquiscalus or achy p- 



terus) 5. 44 



Pitirre (Tyr annus d. dominicensis) _ 5.30 

 Clerigo (Tolmarclius taylori) 1.53 



Judio (Crotophaga ani), in 1 stomach. 

 Mariquita (Agelaius acanthomus), in 1 



stomach. 

 Calandra {Icterus portoricensis) , in 1 



stomach. 



BIRD ENEMIES OF THE MAY BEETLE. 



Locally doing great damage, the May beetle, or caculo (Lachno- 

 sterna sp.), may be briefly mentioned as another well-known economic 

 species. In the immature stage as the "white grub," or gusano 

 bianco, thousands are turned out in furrows during the plowing sea- 

 son and then are exposed to the attacks of birds. The adults are 

 strictly nocturnal, and so escape many birds, and the grubs are ex- 

 posed for only a short time. However, several birds had eaten either 

 grubs or beetles and are listed here. Of these, the miicaro ( Gymnasio 

 n. nudipes) is by far the most important, and by its nocturnal habit 

 can successfully cope with adults when they are flying. 



Per cent. 



Mticaro (Gymnasio n. nudipes) 24.40 



Mozambique (Holoquiscalus orachyp- 



terus) 1.61 



Garza (Florida c. cwrulcscens) 1.00 



Pajaro bobo (Coccy&us m. nesiotes)- .05 



Pitirre (Tyrannus d. dominicensis), in 1 



stomach. 

 Capacho (Antrostomus carolinensis) , in 1 



stomach. 



METHODS OF INCREASING BIRDS. 



Though, as has been stated, birds are more common in Porto Rico 

 than is locally believed, it is desirable that their numbers be increased 

 that they may aid in keeping injurious insects in check. One of the 

 first steps in an attempt to increase bird life is to provide adequate 

 legal protection both for the birds and for their nests and to make 

 sure that the laws are properly enforced. Game laws should restrict 

 the hunting of game birds to certain open seasons, as outlined in the 

 report which follows; should provide bag limits; and also allow the 

 collection of specimens under permit for scientific study and research. 

 Although it may seem that birds should be protected absolutely, the 

 few used in a proper study of their habits and economic status would 

 have no effect on the great mass of individuals of any given species. 

 Without such scientific study no advance can be made in knowledge 

 regarding the birds themselves. 



As an aid in the enforcement of protective laws no method is of 

 more value than the education of school children. If they are taught 

 to look on birds as friends and not to disturb them, many a brood of 



