4 
The Rose - breasted Grosbeak 
‘Forest and Stream’ noted the same habit. A few years later I made some i 
interesting observations in a small field of potatoes near my house. No j 
remedial measures were applied to the crop, but both beetles and birds were ^ 
given a fair field and no favors. At first the insects increased in numbers in ‘ 
spite of the daily visits of the birds, but when the young of the latter were : 
hatched, the numbers of the beetles began to diminish rapidly, and when | 
the young birds were fledged and were brought by their parents and placed i 
in a row upon the fence around the field, the insects rapidly disappeared, if 
and when I examined the field a week later I could not find a single beetle, 
either young or adult. About this time the birds began to prey upon some 
peas in my garden, and I shot one of them and examined the contents of its 
stomach. It consisted of one large green caterpillar (Sphingidae) , several 
potato beetles, and a few fragments of peas. My conclusion was that the 
few peas taken had been well paid for. However, I hung an old coat on a 
pole near the pea vines, and the birds came near them no more. All of the 
above observations were made in the state of Iowa, which was one of the 
first states to suffer from the attacks of the beetles on their eastward march. 
Since then this habit of the Grosbeak has been confirmed by thousands 
of observers in all parts of the country where the potato-beetle and the bird i 
are found. As this insect is eaten by but few species of birds, it is especially | 
desirable that this one, that eats it so freely, should be preserved and its 
increase be encouraged in every possible manner. Forty years ago this bird 
was rare in New England, — in fact, was entirely unknown in many places, 
but it is now fairly abundant there, and it may be that it has been attracted 
to that section of the country by the presence of the potato-beetles, which 
furnish so large a portion of its food. I believe it is possible to prevent its 
depredations upon peas (the only harm that I have ever heard it accused of) , 
and its value as an insect -destroyer forbids its wanton destruction.’’ 
Questions for Teachers and Students 
What is the local name of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak in your locality? Describe or 
imitate its song. What is its alarm or call-note? Can you identify the Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak, Robin and Scarlet Tanager by their songs if the birds are not seen? How do | 
the songs of the three birds differ? What is the peculiarity of the bill of the Rose-breasted ^ 
Grosbeak? How does it differ from the bill of the Robin? Compare size and shape of , 
these two birds. Describe nest of Rose-breasted Grosbeak, materials, size, height from ® ^ 
ground, location, in bush or tree, kind of tree. Is it saddled or pendent? Trace winter 
and summer habitat on map. Tell what you know of migration. When does the Rose- 
breasted Grosbeak arrive in your locality in spring? When does it leave? Describe its 
food. Make drawings of Colorado beetle in adult and larval form. Does this beetle de- 1 
stroy the fruit or plant? What other food does the Grosbeak eat, insect and vegetable? In 
what locations have you found the Grosbeak? What is an insecticide? Describe the 
arbutus; where is it found? When? How many species of violets are found in your 
locality? 
Reprinted from “ Bird -Lore,” official organ of the Audubon Societies. 
