216 



THE GYPSY MOTH. 



poses) a number of gypsy moth caterpillars in nets on the 

 branches of apple trees. It was found almost impossible to 

 complete the experiments, as many of the caterpillars dis- 

 appeared from the nets. An examination of the nets showed 

 that they had been broken open in some unknown way. I 

 watched one of the nets and saw a chipping sparrow break 

 through the netting and secure one of the larger larvaB. As 

 these birds were frequently seen about the nets, it is probable 

 that they were responsible for the abduction of many larvae 

 which disappeared. Mr. Felt says in his notes that sixty 

 per cent, of the larvae used in the experiments were taken 

 by birds which broke into the nets. There were very few 

 of these larvse in the vicinity, except those confined in the 

 nets. 



Robin . — The robin has been reported by several observers 

 as feeding upon the larvae of the gypsy moth, and by one as 

 feeding upon the pupae. One observer believes the robin to 

 be the most useful bird of all ; but the notes on this bird are 

 lacking in detail. I can say nothing from personal observa- 

 tion in regard to its habits of feeding on the gypsy moth, 

 except that it has been often seen feeding on the ground 

 about apple trees frequented by the gypsy moth, or upon the 

 lower branches of such trees, also in trees in badly infested 

 woodland. 



Bed-eyed Vireo. — This bird has been seen by many observ- 

 ers to feed on the gypsy moth larvae. It probably feeds its 

 young quite regularly on the larvae. The vireos are known 



to be caterpillar hunters, but 

 are believed to prefer smooth- 

 skinned species. They, how- 

 ever, frequently break open 

 the nests of the tent cater- 

 pillar to get at the hairy 

 larvae within. This bird usu- 

 ally places the gypsy moth 

 larva on a limb, and pulling 

 it to pieces eats the pieces 

 separately ; yet it has been 



FIG. 34. Red-eyed vireo. g^^^^ ^^^^ ^J^^ Y2.VY2^ 



whole and also to feed it alive to the young birds. 



