24 
THE CHINCH BUG. 
longi ng to the gramnivorotis birds the quail is essentially insectivorous, except in in- 
clement weather, when insects are not easily obtained. In my profession as taxider- 
mist I have dissected many different species of birds in the crops of which were con- 
tained injurious iusects of various kinds — the chinch bug among others. In no other 
instance do I remember of the presence of this insect in the crop of a bird in so great 
numbers as in that of the quail. As a rule but few birds, mammals, reptiles, or rapac- 
ious insects seem to relish any of the odoriferous members of the Hemiptera or true 
bugs. In winter, however, this repugnance is partially overcome, and now and then 
even a chinch bug seems a delicate morsel when u meat” is scarce. 
The Prairie Chicken, the Red- winged Black-bird, and other birds have 
been reported as feeding upon the Chinch Bug, and Professor Forbes 
mentions the fact that one Cat-bird, three Brown Thrushes, aud one 
Meadow Lark were found in 1880 to have eaten these insects “ in barely 
sufficient number to show that the birds have no unconquerable prej- 
udice against them. A single House-wren, shot in 1882, had also eaten 
a few Chinch Bugs.” Dr. Thomas states that the common frog, accord- 
ing to Professor Ross and others, consumes a large number of the bugs : 
Professor Ross goes so far as to express the belief that the destruction of these ani- 
mals by draining their natural haunts is one reason why the chinch bug is enabled to 
multiply as it does in some seasons. 
No account of an injurious insect is complete without an enumeration 
of its natural enemies aud hence this summary has been given. It is 
plain, however, that the foes of the Chinch Bug are neither so numerous 
nor so active in its pursuit as are those of most injurious insects. Al- 
most the solitary exception seems from the evidence to be the common 
Quail, and on this account the following short table lias been compiled. 
It illustrates the months in which the shooting of quails is allowed in the 
States in which the Chinch Bug becomes or may become injurious, and 
it shows that while these birds are in the main tolerably well protected, 
certain of the States which suffer most from the Chinch Bug might 
with profit follow the example of Colorado or Dakota and protect the 
Quail altogether for a series of years. 
New York. — Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to Janu- 
ary 1. 
Maryland. — Shootiug of quails allowed from November 1 to Decem- 
ber 24. There are, however, in this State, local county laws, some of 
which allow the shootiug as early as October 1. 
Virginia. — Shooting of quails allowed west of the Blue Ridge October 
15 to January 1, except in Rockbridge County, where it is allowed from 
October 15 to January 15; elsewhere October 15 to January 15. 
Texas . — Shooting of quads allowed from October 1 to April 1. 
Georgia. — Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to April 1. 
Wisconsin . — Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to Decem- 
ber 1. Trapping prohibited. 
Michigan . — Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to January 1. 
No trapping or snaring allowed for market. 
Pennsylvania. —Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to Jan- 
uary 1. 
