138 
THE PERIODICAL CICADA. 
Two mites, one belonging to the genus Cheyletns (fig. ^67) and the 
other to the genus Bdelhi (fig. 68), were found associated with the eggs 
of the Cicada in Virginia in July, 1885. Both of these mites seem to 
be und escribed, but the material is not in good enough condition to 
warrant their description. Both genera are known to be carnivorous, 
and the s})ecimens secured had doubtless been preying on the Cicada 
eggs. 
THE VERTEBRATE ENEMIES. 
Under this heading I will supplement merely the general state- 
ments given elsewhere on the destruction of the Cicada by l)irds. 
mannnals, etc., by quoting the observations of Mr. A. W. Butler, 
who devoted considerable attention to the natu- 
ral enemies of the Cicada in 1885 in southeast- 
ern Indiana. His lists and notes, which follow, 
could be much extended and, if all the enemies 
of the Cicada were known, would doubtless in- 
clude all the insectivorous birds and mammals 
occurring ^^dthin the range of this insect. He 
savs : 
Fig 
—Bdella sp., mite 
parasite of eggs of Cicada. 
Greatly enlarged (author's 
illustration). 
o- Among birds the English sparroTV. Passer domesticus 
(Linn.), is perhaps its greatest enemy. Within one week 
from the date of the appearance of the Cicada in Brookville 
not one could be found, and I doubt if a single specimen 
^Yas permitted to deposit its eggs, owing to the persistent 
warfare waged by this garrulotis sparrow. 
Of native birds the robin, Merula migratoria (Linn.); 
blackbird, Quiscalus quiscula ceneiis (Ridg.); catbird. Gale- 
oscoptes carolinensis (Linn.); red -headed woodpecker, 
Melanerpes erythrocephaliis (Linn.); flicker, Colaptes aiiratus 
liUeus Bangs; towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.), and 
orchard oriole. Icterus spurius (Linn.) were their greatest 
enemies. Food of every other sort appeared to be neglected in order that they might 
feast for a limited period upon the easily captured Cicada, 
Of other birds examined, the following contained Cicada remains: Brown thrasher, 
Toxostoma n(fum (Linn.); Baltimore oriole. Icterus galbula (Linn.); scarlet tanager, 
Piranga erythromclas Vieill.; blue-gray gnatcatcher, PoUoptila cxrulea (Linn.); worm- 
eating warbler, Helmitherus vermivorus (Gmel.); purple martin, Progne subis (Linn.); 
wood pewee, Horizopus virens (Linn.)', wood thrush, Ilylocichla mustcUna (Gmel.); 
yellow-throated vireo, Lanivireo jlavifrons (Viell.); cardinal grosbeak, Cardinalis car- 
dinalis (Linn.); tufted titmouse, Ba'olophus bicolor (Linn.); Carolina chickadee ,.Pf?2- 
thestes carolinensis (Aud.); chipping sparrow, Spizella socialis (Wilson); downy wood- 
pecker, Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swains); crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus 
(Linn.); indigo bird, Passerina cyanea (Linn.); cow bird, Moloihrus ater (Bodd.); 
white-bellied nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis Lath.; yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus amer- 
o The nomenclature of the birds and mammals mentioned in this extract has been 
revised for this bulletin by Mr. Harry C. Oberholser, of the Bureau of Biological Sur- 
vey, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
