ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
5G9 
portion to its size and activity. I have taken thirty caterpillars fDryocampa 
senatoriaj, three-fourths of an inch long, from the stomach of one of these birds, 
and six large grasshoppers from that of another. That which gives this species 
a special value as an insect-destroyer is its fondness for those hairy, spiney and 
otherwise protected caterpillars not so generally preyed upon by other birds; 
and it is this trait, together with the fact that it appears to refuse all vegetable 
food, that goes far toward compensating for what injury it may do in plundering 
the nests of other birds. It is, therefore, much worthier of encouragement and 
protection than either the Blue Jay or the Crow. 
Food: Of thirteen specimens examined, nine had eaten caterpillars — among 
them were eight of the fall web-worms fHyphantria textorj, thirty-three of the 
oak-caterpillars (Dryocampa senaforiaj, one of the lo caterpillars (Saturriia loj, 
six of the antiopa caterpillars (Vanessa antiopaj, and one of the caterpillars of 
the archippus butterfly (Danais archippus). One contained five larvae of the 
large saw-fly (Cymhex AmericanaJ; six, twenty-five grasshoppers; one, a cricket; 
two, ten beetles; and two, two harvest-men. These observations, it will be seen, 
differ quite markedly from those given below. 
Small mollusks, etc. (Wilson). Minute mollusks and animals, fruits, berries, 
etc. (De Kay). Insects and their larvae, small fruits, and the eggs and young of 
small birds (Samuels). Principally fresh-water mollusks, fish and aquatic larvae 
(Audubon). Tent-caterpillar (A. J. Cock, Am. Nat., VIII, 368). Eggs of the 
Solitary Vireo (Brewer). One specimen had eaten beetles (Forbes). 
143. CoccYGUS Americanus (Linn.), Bp. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 
Group II. Class b. 
This species is a summer resident, but not common. I have seen but one speci¬ 
men. Its habits are similar to those of the last species, and, economically, 
probably it ranks with it. In speaking of its relations to other birds. Dr. Cones 
says: “Although not parasites, like the European species, devoid of parental 
instinct, they have their bad traits, being even worse enemies of various small, 
gentle birds; for they are abandoned thieves, as wicked as Jaj's in this respect, 
continually robbing birds of their eggs, and even, it is said, devouring the help¬ 
less nestlings. 
Food: The specimen which I examined had its stomach crammed almost to over¬ 
flowing with a large, black, slightly hairy caterpillar, with a faint dorsal stripe 
of white, which is often so abundant on black walnut trees as to completely 
defoliate them. 
Caterpillars, particularly those which infest apple trees, and the eggs of other 
birds (Wilson). Insects, and, at times, small birds and their eggs (Cooper). 
Hairy caterpillars, large beetles, berries, grapes, and occasionally the eggs of 
small birds (De Kay). Caterpillars, and other larvae destructive to fruit and 
shade trees (Samuels). Caterpillars, butterflies, beetles, wood mollusks, mulber¬ 
ries, grapes, and the eggs of small birds (Audubon). Various large winged in¬ 
sects, various grubs, wood-inhabiting mollusks, different kinds of berries and 
other soft fruits, and the eggs of small birds (Cones). Of four specimens ex¬ 
amined, three had eaten caterpillars; one, beetles; two, harvest-men and vege¬ 
table substance (Forbes). 
