COMMON BIRDS OF SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. 3 
The most active of these enemies of the boll weevil are the orioles, 
which actually take the insects from the squares of the cotton plant, 
and the swallows, which feed upon the weevils when they are in flight 
and seeking to extend their range. No fewer than 41 boll weevils 
have been found in a single stomach of the Bullock oriole, and large 
numbers of the weevils are habitually taken by all species of swallows. 
Every one of a series of 35 eave swallows had eaten boll weevils, the 
largest number in any stomach being 48, and the average 19. In 
winter the most important destroyers of these insects are blackbirds, 
meadowlarks, titlarks, and Carolina wrens. 
Forty-one species 1 of birds feed upon the cotton worm. Of these 
bird enemies, cuckoos are most effective, since they frequently consume 
from 100 to 150 cotton worms at a meal. The orioles again deserve 
especial mention, as do also the crow, the curve-billed thrasher, mock¬ 
ingbird, cardinal, and gray grosbeak. The bollworm, or corn-ear 
worm, is attacked by 12 southeastern birds, of which the boat-tailed 
grackle, or jackdaw, has the best record. Seven species of birds feed 
upon the cotton cutworm. 
If insect pests are considered in the order of the importance of the 
crops they attack, those damaging corn and other grain crops probably 
are next to the cotton insects. White grubs are a serious pest not 
only to corn but to strawberries, various garden crops, and grasses. 
Fifty-seven species of southeastern birds devour white grubs or the 
adult forms known as May beetles. The nighthawk, chuck-will’s- 
widow, crow, and screech owl are the most voracious feeders on the 
adults, and the crow, crow blackbird, and robin on the larvae. Re¬ 
mains of no fewer than 91 adults have been found in a single stomach 
of the nighthawk, or bull-bat, a bird which has been much persecuted 
but which deserves the strictest protection. 
Wireworms are especially injurious to corn, but they damage all 
other grains, as well as many garden crops. These pests are the 
larvae of click beetles, of which there are many species. One hun¬ 
dred and twenty-eight southeastern birds include click beetles or wire- 
worms in their bill of fare. The most efficient destroyers of these 
pests are the following: Downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, night- 
hawk, kingbird, great-crested flycatcher, crow, blue jay, crow 
blackbird, red-winged blackbird, lark sparrow, tree swallow, purple 
martin, house wren, and robin. From 20 to 40 wireworms have been 
found in each of several robin stomachs. 
Com is seriously damaged by billbugs also. The larvae bore into 
the stem and the adult weevils injure the leaves. Fifty-five species 
of birds occurring in the Southeastern States feed upon these insects. 
Those consuming the largest numbers are the killdeer, upland plover, 
1 This and similar figures in the remainder of the introduction must be understood as representing only 
present knowledge—other species may at any time be added to the lists of bird enemies of the various 
insect pests. 
