Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-05-10

rock : and trees Of the opposite shore fell on
'ne bosom OF the stream. while gently from
aIsf came on the ear the muttering sound Of
the cataract
MY little IRE was soon lighted under . roc L,
and spreading out my scanty stock Of pro.
visions, reclined on my grassy couch. As
looked around on the fading features OF the
beautiful landscape, my heart turned toward
my distant home, where my friends were
doubtless wishing me. a. wished them. a
happy night and peaceful slumbers. Then
were heard the barkings Of the watchdog. and
tapped my faithful companion to prevent
his answering them.
The thoughts Of my worldly mission then
came over my mind, and having thanked the
Creator OF all for His never-faiiins mercy. I
| closed my eyes. and was passing away into
the world Of dreaming existence, when sud-
denly there burst on my soul the serenade of
the rose-breasted bird, so rich, SO mellow. so
loud In the stiffness Of the night, that sleep
fed from my eyelids. Never did I euioy
music more; II thrilled through my heart.
and surrounded me with an atmosphere OF
bliss. One might easily have imagined that
even the owl, charmed by such delightful
music, remained reverently silent. Long af-
ter the sounds ceased did / enjoy them, and
when all had again become still. / stretched
out my wearied limbs. and gave myself up to
the luxury OF repose.
With this delightful tribute OF the
artist -naturalist to the aesthetic qualities
OF this bird, let us turn to its practical or
economic value.
The colorado potato beetle dwelt near
the base OF the Rocky mountains, feeding
upon the sand until about the year
1853. At this time it began to be pest in
the potato-fields of the settlers in that
region. Having acquired the habit of
feeding upon the cultivated potato, it
began its eastward march across the con-
tinent, spreaiing from potato patch to
potato patch. AT first the migration took
place at about the rate OF fifty miles
year, but later it was more rapid; and in
1874 the insect reached the Atlantic coast.
The spread OF the potato beetle pest
caused an enormous loss to the farmers
of the country, not only by the failure OF
the potato crops, but also by the cost OF
insecticides, principally Paris green, used
to destroy this vorseious beetle. II is
doubtful whether the farmers of the
country would have been able to success
fully contend with the potato beetle had
not Nature interposed one OF her power
full checks. As the beetle extended its
range and became more numerous, the
rose breasted grosbeak developed newly
acquired taste for this pest. Professor
Bcal, OF the United States department OF
agriculture, has furnished the following
very interesting statement, which shows
conclnsively the very great value of this
bird:
No s,omaehs OF the rose breasted grosbeak
have yet been examined by the biological
survey, but the birds habit OF eating the
Colorado potats-beetle Is q matter OF common
observation. The first published report upon
this work was made. as far as know, by Prof.
@. f. Bcssey. of the agricultural college Of
Iowa, more than twenty-five years ago, when
the insect hrst made its appearance. At
about the same time woman writer In
Forest and Stream noted the same habit.
A few years later l made some interesting
observations in a small field of potatoes near
my house. No remedial measures were
applied to the crop, but both beetles and
Al arss the insects increased in numbers in
spite of the daily visits Of the birds, but when
the young OF the latter were Matched. the num-
bers OF the beetles began to diminish rapidly,
and when the young birds were hedged and
we're brought by their parents and placed in
a row upon the fence around the field, the in
sects rapidly disappeared, and when 1 ex-
aminsd the field week later could not ind
a.tr xfa ~. Aft h.r
About this time the birds began to prey up
on some peas in my garden. and / shot one
Of them and examined the contents OF its
stomach. 1t consisted OF one large green
caterpillar, several potato beetles, and few
fragments OF peas. Ny conclusion was that
the few peas taken had been we'll paid for.
However, hung an old coat on pole near
the pea vines. and the birds came near them
no more. All of the above observations we're
made in che state of Iowa, which was one Of
the nrst states TO suffer from the attacks of
the BEETLES on their eastward march.
Since then this habit OF the grosbeak has
beea confirmed by thousands Of observers in
all parts Of the country where the potato
beetle and the bird are found. As this insect
is eaten by but few species of birds, it is
especially desirable that this one. that eats it
80 freely, should be preserved and its in
crease be encouraged In every possible man
ner. Forty years ago this bird was rare in
New Engand-in fact. was entirely unknown
In many places, but 1t Is now fairly abundant
there. and II may be that 1t has been attracted
to that section Of the country by the presence
Of the potato beetles, which furnish so
large . portion Of its food. believe It Is
possible to prevent its depredations upon
peas (the only harm that have ever heard It
accused of. and its value as an insect-de-
stroyer forbids its wanton destruction.