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ACTIVE GLEANERS 
that no insect should be left alive, and birds of less 
regular habits pick them up indiscriminately wherever 
they can be found* Where bird activity is unmolested 
it seems almost strange that any insects escape. All 
are devoured at sight. Even the obnoxious Potato 
Beetle, once regarded as enjoying immunity, is food 
for the Whip-Poor-Will. When the nestlings are first 
demanding attention the greatest destruction occurs. 
Although parent birds may show a preference 
for fruit and other delicacies, the young demand an 
insect diet. That accounts for the insectivorous 
activity of the Catbird, the Brown Thrasher, the 
Robin, and other birds which show an epicurean 
weakness for fruit in season. The crusade against all 
kinds of insects is joined by the Blackbird and other 
grain-eaters. Even such marauders and outlaws as 
the Crow and the English Sparrow like to treat their 
young to an insect feast. The Ruby-throated Hum- 
ming-bird, dainty enough to subsist on the nectar of 
flowers, is a plebeian feeder on Gnats, Ants, Flies, 
and minute parasitic Wasps. The Sparrow-hawk 
lives largely on Grasshoppers, but more formidable 
members of the family do not descend to insect food. 
Partridge, Quail, and Prairie Chickens, destructive 
grain and bud-eaters as they are, feed their young 
on Grasshoppers, Beetles, Cutworms, Caterpillars, 
Maggots, Chinch Bugs, and similar delicacies. 
Although this destruction goes on by night as well 
