. Bulletin - Biological Survey. Zoology, Economic. 54 FOOD HABITS OF THE GROSBEAKS. ber of species and because at times it makes scales a considerable part of its fare. These little pests can not have too many enemies for the good of mankind, and every bird that preys upon them should be wel- comed and protected. The rosebreast sometimes feeds upon plant lice (Aphididae), espe- cially those that live on birch; and a number of these fragile insects were found in a single stomach. Among other bugs, the odd little buffalo tree-Jiopper (Ceresa bubalus, fig. 32), and a few of the flower- bug and sq
. Bulletin - Biological Survey. Zoology, Economic. 54 FOOD HABITS OF THE GROSBEAKS. ber of species and because at times it makes scales a considerable part of its fare. These little pests can not have too many enemies for the good of mankind, and every bird that preys upon them should be wel- comed and protected. The rosebreast sometimes feeds upon plant lice (Aphididae), espe- cially those that live on birch; and a number of these fragile insects were found in a single stomach. Among other bugs, the odd little buffalo tree-Jiopper (Ceresa bubalus, fig. 32), and a few of the flower- bug and squash-bug families were found. Eight grosbeaks ate mem- bers of the stink-bug family. In feeding upon these insects the rose- breast gives further evidence of its indifference to flavors and odors which to us are repulsive and nauseating in the extreme. Two of the birds examined had devoured specimens of the banded soldier bug. Fig. 32.—Buffalo tree-hopper (Ceresa bubalus). (From Marlatt, Bureau of Entomology.) (MUyas cinctus)\ which preys upon many insects, including the po- tato beetle, and of another assassin bug (Sinea diadema), which preys upon cankerworms and other caterpillars, besides flies and bees, including the honey bee. TVere the habit of devouring such bugs general, injury would result, but fortunately it is not. According to B. F. Gault. the rosebreast feeds upon the chinch bug. which at times has proved the worst crop pest in the country. A remarkable feature of the rosebreast's dietary is the few grass- hoppers eaten. These nutritious insects, which are welcomed by almost all birds, compose only percent of the food of the whole number of grosbeaks examined. Results from the present collection of stomachs may not represent a fair average, but as proportionate numbers of the individuals examined were secured in the grass-. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration a
Size: 1816px × 1376px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookpublisherwashingtongovtprin
