. [Collected reprints, 1895-1916. Birds. 2 Farmers' Bulletin 630. evident that in the course of a year birds destroy an incalculable number of insects, and it is difficult to overestimate the value of their services in restraining the great tide of insect life. In winter, in the northern part of the country, insects become scarce or entirely disappear. Many species of birds, however, remain during the cold season and are able to maintain life by eating vege- table food, as the seeds of weeds. Here again is another useful func- tion of birds in destroying these weed seeds and thereby lessening
. [Collected reprints, 1895-1916. Birds. 2 Farmers' Bulletin 630. evident that in the course of a year birds destroy an incalculable number of insects, and it is difficult to overestimate the value of their services in restraining the great tide of insect life. In winter, in the northern part of the country, insects become scarce or entirely disappear. Many species of birds, however, remain during the cold season and are able to maintain life by eating vege- table food, as the seeds of weeds. Here again is another useful func- tion of birds in destroying these weed seeds and thereby lessening the growth of the next year. In the following pages are discussed the food habits of more than 50 birds belonging to 12 families. Many are eastern forms which are represented in the West by slightly different species or sub- species, but unless the food habits differ they are not separately described. In some cases specific percentages of food are given, but for the most part the statements are made without direct refer- ence to the data on which they are based.^ THE BLUEBIRDS. The eastern bluebird^ (fig. 1), one of the most familiar and welcome of onr feathered visitors, is a common inhabitant of all the States east of the Rocky Mountains from the Gulf of Mexico to southern Canada. In the Mississippi valley it winters as far north as southern Illinois, and in the East as far as Pennsylvania. It is one of the earliest northern migrants, and everywhere is hailed as a harbinger of spring. Very domestic in habits, it frequents orchards and gardens, and builds its nests in cavities of trees, crannies in farm buildings, or boxes provided for its use. The bluebird has not been accused, so far as 'known, of stealing fruit or of preying upon crops. An exaniinn- tion of 855 stomachs showed that G8 per cent of the food consists of in- sects and their allies, while the other 32 per cent is made up of various vegetable substances, found mostly in stomachs taken in winter. Beetles constitut
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