BEEP AUD UB ONS BULE CE TEN 45 
Screech Owl in the nest, which, as shown by the band, was the parent he 
had banded on June 9. 
E. R. Foro. 
Kerwyn bird Notes 
By OrpHeus Moyer SCHANTZ 
The city of Berwyn is well located to benefit from the bird popula- 
tion that has its base in the heavily timbered Des Plaines River Forest 
Preserves only about a mile west of us. When it is remembered that as 
late as 1896, in the northwest corner of Berwyn, except for that portion 
which includes the natural growth of trees that at one time covered the 
ridge known as Riverside Drive, there were no trees of any kind, except 
perhaps an occasional seedling cottonwood, it is hard to believe that the 
beautiful elms which line many of the streets are less than 40 years old. 
A recent casual survey of the trees found growing in Berwyn resulted 
in the identification of at least 60 species and varieties, many of them 
grown to large size. The tree growth with the profusion of shrubbery 
planted in almost every yard, has provided ideal conditions for not only 
summer resident birds, but for the vast numbers of spring and autumn 
migrants. “hese conditions are not different from those of many other 
suburban communities, but they are cited to prove that possibilities about 
Chicago are growing better for a continually increasing bird population. 
Quite naturally with the abundant tree and shrub growth there is 
an accompaniment of insect pests, the birds’ natural food supply. While 
at times certain insects may increase to dangerous numbers, the birds 
under normal conditions keep them under reasonable control. When about 
10 years ago there was an alarming invasion of the white-marked tussock 
moth in Chicago’s suburban district, there was a concentration of both 
the cuckoos in Berwyn never before equalled. So effectually was the in- 
vasion checked by the cuckoos and other birds, aided by certain parasitic 
insects which infest the tussock moth larva, that not since has the moth 
been a menace. 
During the summer of 1932, it was noted that tussock moth cocoons 
were quite conspicuous on the trunks of the elm trees, and as usual the 
writer as far as possible destroyed them on his own trees. Much to his 
surprise the caterpillars were not those of the “white-marked’’ species, 
but were the “well-marked” variety, almost if not identical in size and 
appetite, but lacking the distinctive markings of the former, being almost 
entirely light yellow. During the summer it was noted that birds not 
usually partial to “woolly caterpillars” were feeding on the larvae. One 
day a young Robin was seen eating caterpillars, first shaking them and 
otherwise mauling them to break down the hairs before swallowing them. 
