USEFUL i:iRl)S 
19 
indicates, the l)ill is strikingly large and, even without the above 
colors, would he sufficient to distinguish these birds from other sum- 
mer bird residents. Thiis species is found breeding as far north as 
Southern Canada and throughout its range is a help to the agricul- 
turist. It occasionally eats j)eas and a little fruit, but consumes 
an enormous numl)er of potato beetles as well as stri])ed cucumber 
beetles. It is reputed as attacking scale insects and the Avriter has 
seen it foraging for grasshoppers, (f anker worms, tent caterpillars, 
army worms, cut worms, chinch l)Ugs, and others are known to be 
included in its dietary. This grosbeak is about eight inches long; 
nests from five to fifteen feet or more from the ground ; eggs, four 
or five, light blue with irregular l)rownish markings. Reaches 
^Minnesota generally about the first week in May, though it has 
been noted here the latter part of April. In the Red River Valley 
we have found them common in Avooded sections. 
The aboA^e list is far from complete but it is fairly repre- 
sentative. 
W e might add the folloAving common and also beneficial birds: 
HOUSE WREN. 
House Wren, nearly 100 per cent of its food being insects, 
reaches Minnesota about April 25th. 
BARN SWALLOW. 
The Harn SAvalloAV captures, while on the Aving, moths, flies, 
beetles, and frecpiently grasshoppers (house bedbugs, contrary to 
a ver\^ common belief, are not found in SAvalloAVs’ nests). 
THE PURPLE MARTIN. 
The Purple Martin, an excellent addition to any farm, should 
be provided with a martin house and its presence encouraged. It 
Avages relentless Avar upon haAvks and croAvs and constitutes, there- 
fore, a guard for poultry and small birds. In the Avriter’s notes on 
Minnesota birds occurs the following entry regarding the Purple 
■Martin, resulting from an ornithological trip through the Red River 
Valiev some years ago: “This species, too, occurs about Mille 
Lacs, Avhere the farmers provide boxes for them. The great major- 
ity of them there, however, nest with the gulls on an island called 
Spirit Island by the Indians, lying a1)OUt tAVO miles from the south- 
eastern shore of Lake Mille Lacs. Here large numbers lay their 
eggs in the crevices and fissures of the rocks and serve as allies in 
