Cedar berries (Juniperus virginiana)2False Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa)4False spikenard (Smilacinasp.)1Greenbrier (Smilax walteri)2Cat brier (Smilax bona-nox)2Laurel-leaved greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia)1Other greenbriers (Smilaxsp.)11Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)1Bayberries (Myrica carolinensis)7Chinquapin (Castanea pumila)1Western hackberries (Celtis occidentalis)5Other hackberries (Celtissp.)3Figs (Ficussp.)1Mulberries (Morussp.)1Mistletoe berries (Phoradendron villosum)2Poke berries (Phytolacca decandra)16Miner's lettuce (Montia perfoliata)1Sassafras berries (Sassafras varifolium)2Spice berries (Benzoin æstivale)1Currants (Ribessp.)3Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)2Chokeberries (Pyrus arbutifolia)1Service berries (Amelanchier canadensis)9Hawthorn (Cratægussp.)1Strawberries (Fragariasp.)1Blackberries or raspberries (Rubussp.)5Rose haws (Rosasp.)1Wild black cherries (Prunus scrotina)3Three-seeded mercury (Acalypha virginica)1Staghorn sumach (Rhus typhina)5Smooth sumach (Rhus glabra)5Dwarf sumach (Rhus copallina)7Poison ivy (Rhus radicans)3Poison oak (Rhus diversiloba)15Laurel-leaved sumach (Rhus laurina)2Other sumachs (Rhussp.)12Pepper berries (Schinus molle)15American holly (Ilex opaca)9Black alder (Ilex verticillata)12Ink berries (Ilex glabra)9Other hollies (Ilexsp.)7Strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus)1Roxbury waxwork (Celastrus scandens)1Supple-Jack (Berchemia volubilis)2Coffee berries (Rhamnus californicus)1Woodbine (Psedera quinquefolia)10Frost grapes (Vitis cordifolia)2Wild grapes (Vitissp.)1Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis)1Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)32Rough-leaved dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)2Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)2Checkerberry (Gaultheria procumbens)1Huckleberries (Gaylussaciasp.)1Blueberries (Vacciniumsp.)12Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum)4Bittersweet (Solanumsp.)4Goose grass (Galium aparine)1Honeysuckle (Lonicerasp.)2Indian currant (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)1Downy arrowwood (Viburnum pubescens)1Nanny berries (Viburnum lentago)2Black elderberries (Sambucus canadensis)4Red elderberries (Sambucus pubens)3Fruit not further identifiedv60
In looking over this list one is impressed with the fact that the taste of human beings for fruit differs markedly from that of birds. For example,Rhusseeds are hard and have little pulp to render them palatable or nutritious. They are usually passed through the alimentary canal of birds or regurgitated unharmed, and the slight outer coating alone is digested. In the case of the poisonous species, this outer coating is a white wax or tallow which appears to be very nutritious, for these species are eaten much more extensively thanthe nonpoisonous ones. The seed itself is rarely broken in the stomach to get any nutriment it may contain. But in spite of these factsRhusseeds were found in 49 stomachs, while fruits of huckleberries and blueberries, which are delicious to the human taste, were found in only 13 stomachs; and blackberries and raspberries, highly esteemed by man, were found in only 5 stomachs. Next toRhusthe fruit most eaten was the dogwood berry, found in 34 stomachs, yet from a human estimate these berries are distasteful and contain such large seeds that they afford but very little actual food.
Summary.—The hermit thrush, as it name indicates, is of solitary habits and neither seeks human companionship nor molests cultivated products. It destroys nothing indirectly helpful to man, as beneficial insects, but aids in the destruction of the myriad hosts of insect life which at all times threaten vegetation. While it is not easy to point out any especially useful function of the hermit thrush, it fills its place in the economy of nature, from which it should not be removed.
bar doubleADDITIONAL COPIESOF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROMTHE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTSGOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEWASHINGTON, D. C.AT5 CENTS PER COPYtriangle
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROMTHE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTSGOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEWASHINGTON, D. C.