56 WYOMING BIRDS. 
491. Nucifraga columbiana: Clarke’s Nutcracker. 
Abundant resident in the mountains of the state. It ranges 
from 8,000 feet to timber line and above. Almost its en- 
tire food in Laramie Hills consists of the seeds of Pinus 
scopulorum. 
492. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus: Pinon Jay. 
Apparently a fairly common resident over most of the 
state. . 
ICTERIDAE (Blackbirds, Orioles, Meadow ‘Larks, etc.). 
This family includes hirds which vary considerably in food and 
nesting habits. In the main they are decidedly beneficial, but a few 
must be considered injurious. 
The Bobolink, during the breeding season, consumes enormous 
numbers of injurious insects. At other times its food consists prin- 
cipally of weed seeds. During the spring and fall migrations it 
devastates rice fields and does great damage in the Southern states. 
The Meadow Lark is decidedly beneficial, and since it is one of 
the most abundant birds of the plains, it is of great economic value. 
For some reason it has increased wonderfully in numbers recently. 
It feeds upon weed seeds and injurious insects (grasshoppers, May 
beetles, cut worms, etc.). 
The various Blackbirds feed upon injurious insects, weed seeds, 
and grain. Some Blackbirds become quite tame during the plowing 
season. They follow the plow closely and pick up grub, cut worms, 
and other insect larvae. As a rule they are beneficial, but some 
species are condemned in part. 
The Orioles feed upon fruit to some extent, but mainly upon 
injurious caterpillars. They are valuable birds. 
REFERENCES: 
1. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1895, pp. 419-430. 
2. Biological Survey Bulletin No. 13. 
3. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1894, pp. 233-248. 
4. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1912, pp. 279-284. 
5. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1898, pp. 227-233. 
6. “Birds in Their Relation to Man,” Weed and Dearborn, pp. 
156-167. 
