. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. 130 USEFUL BIRDS. the time that could be spared for this kind of work. In 1899, however, Mr. Mosher was detailed for this work early in the season, and instructed to spend such time daily as was necessary to observe the feeding of birds on these in- sects. He was requested also to make full notes each day. As many of these field notes as the available space will
. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. 130 USEFUL BIRDS. the time that could be spared for this kind of work. In 1899, however, Mr. Mosher was detailed for this work early in the season, and instructed to spend such time daily as was necessary to observe the feeding of birds on these in- sects. He was requested also to make full notes each day. As many of these field notes as the available space will per- mit are given below. Many of the observations were made in the morning, but not during the earlier morning hours, when birds feed most actively. The weather being mild, on the 24th of April a few brown-tail moth larvae that had win- tered on the trees began to crawl out. Apkil 24. — In Cambridge, near Fresh Pond, I saw a large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds foraging on a newly plowed field, and from a large pile of dressing they were taking flies. From a pear tree near by three of them took brown-tail moth larvse from the opening buds. They were in the tree seven- teen minutes, and were eating all the time. April 26.—In Revere, near the Maiden line, I found a pear tree with a brown-tail moth web on it. A pair of Crow Blackbirds came, and remained about forty-five minutes in that tree and the one adjoining. They plumed their feathers for a while, then began looking over the tree for food. They alighted sev- eral times on the branch that was most infested, and picked the larvaa from tlie buds and from the crevices of the bark. A little later the tent caterpillars began ^- „, «r,, * hatching, under the influence of the warm —Webof . the brown-tail spring sun, and the birds could find a few of moth caterpil- ,, lar, reduced. April 27.—In Stoneham, off Forest Street, I observed the birds feeding on tent caterpillars. A Black and White Warbler came thre
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherb, booksubjectbirds
