IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
ever, consists of wild fruit, of which about sixty-five varieties 
''v 
are eaten, whereas only about ten of the cultivated ones are 
consumed. The robin rarely eats grain, which indicates that 
the cereal is not greatly relished as a means of subsistence. 
Over forty per cent of the robin’s diet consists of insects. 
Sharing with the bluebird the distinction of being our earliest 
migrant, the robin naturally preys upon the insects that first 
come out of their Winter quarters. A few of the useful preda¬ 
ceous beetles, which are among the first insects to appear in 
the Spring, form a part of the robin’s diet in March and April. 
During the month of May, wherein they are most abundant, 
the May beetles offer a delicious morsel. Larvae of the fireflies, 
which live in the ground, are also eaten. Several species of the 
weevil, including two clover weevils, the corn weevil and a num¬ 
ber of others are eaten during the early months. Bees and 
wasps are usually avoided by this bird. In April and May, 
bugs are consumed. The injurious cinch bug is the most inter¬ 
esting member of this genus, which the robin disposes of with 
relish. The larvae of the March flies, which prey upon the roots 
of grasses, are also indulged in to a great extent. In one in¬ 
stance a thousand and forty larvae were found in one bird’s 
stomach. The caterpillar forms a regular diet of the robin. 
