New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 307 
large variety of trees and shrubs. They spin a thread of silk 
wherever they go, but do not build nests. When not feeding or 
when about to molt they gather often in large numbers upon 
the limbs or trunks of the infested trees. Pupation takes place 
during the latter part of May or early in June, the cocoons being 
placed either upon the leaves or in almost any locality near the 
ground. The moths appear during the latter part of June and 
early July. The eggs are at once laid. There is but one annual 
brood. 
NATURAL CHECKS. 
The same natural agencies mentioned in Bulletin 152, page 289, 
as operating against the apple-tree tent-caterpillar probably have 
an equal influence upon this species. In addition to unfavorable 
climatic ecnditions, birds, insects and diseases have a marked 
effect upon this species. According to Kirkland™* the common 
garden toad also feeds upon the caterpillars. 
Birds.—-A careful study of the birds in the sections of the State 
which were infested with the caterpillars last spring would 
undoubtedly have revealed many species not recorded here feed- 
ing upon this insect in its various stages. Reports from careful 
observers together with limited observations by the writer indicate 
that the following birds feed upon this insect in some of its 
stages: The black-capped chickadee feeds upon the eggs proba- 
bly chiefly during the winter when other animal food is not 
abundant. The writer has taken the eggs from the stomachs of 
chickadees shot during the winter in localities where the cater- 
pillars were not especially abundant. The yellow-billed cuckoo, 
Baltimore oriole, American red start, cat bird and robin feed upon 
the caterpillars. In addition Weed” reporting the observations 
of Miss Soule records chipping sparrows, red and white-eyed 
vireos, cedar bird, and nut-hatches feeding upon the caterpillars; 
chickadees upon the cocoons; and robins, chipping sparrows, yel- 
21 Mass. (Hatch) Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 46, pp. 22 and 25. 
22 Bul. 64, N. H. Agr. Exp. Sta., pp. 91-92. 
