IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
more good in ridding the place of insects than any artificial 
means known. The entire diet of the bluebird consists of 
sixty-eight per cent animal and thirty-eight per cent vegetable 
food. 
The only charge against the bluebird is, that during the 
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early Spring, he destroys great numbers of predaceous beetles. 
FewTirds exceed the bluebirds in the destruction of these in- 
sectST The largest consumption of these beetles occurs in May 
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and the least in September. 
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Beetles of the May-beetle family are eaten extensively 
during the month of May. They are eaten in nearly every 
month, but the largest consumption occurs during the three 
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months from May to July. They consist mostly of the small 
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dung beetles, a few snout beetles and a few of the less harmful 
nature. 
A larger per cent of ants are devoured by the bluebird than 
§rt by the robin. Practically no bees or wasps are on his menu, 
though flies enter lightly into his diet. A moderate per cent of 
bugs are also eaten by the bluebird each month. 
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Caterpillars form a regular article of food for the bluebird. 
They furnish the greatest food supply in March and the least in 
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December. The cut worms and hairv caterpillars of this species 
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