I907J Food Habits of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 183 



AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION ON THE FOOD 



HABITS OF THE YELLOW-BELLIED 



SAPSUCKER {Spyropicus varius). 



While visiting Mr. R. W. Shepherd, Como, Que., on July 

 20th, 1907, the writer was attracted by the large numlier of 

 leaves which were lying on the ground beneath a specimen of 

 the Cottonwood {Popuhis deltoidea. Marsh) which was grovv'ing 

 near the house. 



The leaves were green and healthy looking from a distance, 

 and as there had been no storm to blow them off we were puzzled 

 at first to know what had caused them to fall. On enquiry 

 we were informed that the dropping of the leaves was caused 

 by birds. The leaves were examined and it was discovered 

 that on everv petiole, close to the blade of the leaf, there was a 

 gall of the species known as the Poplar Stem Gall (Pemphigus 

 populicaulis, Fitch). Each of these galls when perfect is the 

 home of a colonv of slate-colored plant lice, the species being 

 known as the Poplar Stem Gall Louse. These galls had been 

 opened and not an insect was left inside. On looking up into 

 the tree a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (Spyropicus varius) was 

 seen busilv engaged in picking holes into the galls and evidently 

 eating the insects which were inside. The galls grew, as described 

 above, on the petioles of the leaves and the tearing apart of 

 these by the bird caused the leaves to fall. Almost every leaf 

 on the tree was affected by this gall, and we were informed by 

 Mr. Shepherd that the almost constant falling of the leaves 

 on the ground had made this bird a very undesirable visitor, 

 as it was practically impossible to keep the lawn in order. This 

 note is published in the Ottawa Naturalist as it is believed 

 there have been few records of this kind made before. 



W. T. Macoun. 



AsPLENiUM Ruta-muraria, L. This plant was recorded in 

 The Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. XX., p. 135 from Southampton, 

 Ont.,asnewto Canada. The Rev W. A. Burman has since 

 shown me specimens collected by him at Banff, Rocky Moun- 

 tains, in July, 1893. It must be\'ery rare there, as few places 

 in Canada have been so well botanized as Banff, during the past 

 ten vears, and no one else has reported it. 



J. M. M. 



