UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
November 28, 1908. 
Mr. William Brewster, 
145 Brattle Street, 
Cambridge, Mass. 
Dear Mr. Brewster: 
I have just seen Doctor Howard and from certain facts which have 
come to his attention from the State of Maine, he raises the question 
as to the possibility of birds distributing the gipsy moth. Colonies 
of moths have been found in the woods remote from settlements where 
their presence is difficult to account for. He asks whether it is 
possible that the eggs, or more probably the larvae, can be transported 
either on the plumage or on the feet or about the bills of birds. My 
off-hand conclusion is that it is almost impossible to conceive of a 
caterpillar finding lodgment on a bird and being transported alive from 
one locality to another. Birds clean both bills and feet so carefully 
after feeding, shake out their plumage so frequently, and preen them¬ 
selves so often that it is difficult to understand how even a small 
caterpillar can be transported on the body of a bird. As Doctor How¬ 
ard himself is going to write you on the subject, I will add nothing 
further except to call your attention to the matter and to ask if any¬ 
thing in your experience of bird life justifies the assumption that it 
is probable or even possible that birds may aid in the distribution 
either of the eggs or larvae of the gipsy moth. As I remember the eggs 
they are non-adhesive and could not be made to stick to the feathers. 
trl y-tVv 
As a matter of fact do any jcirds eat the eggs of the gipsy? 
Very truly yours. 
-^Vtdmxnis trative Assistant 
E 
