146 Dzcellcrs of the Sea and Shore 



inating palate arc quite obvious. But what is it that 

 attracts the other hind birds which wt see winging their 

 way hither and yon over the burning sands? Here is 

 the swallow; with its familiar headlong swoop it passes 

 close over our heads. Here, also, is the ubiquitous 

 sparrow, the robin, the meadow lark, the pipit, and the 

 myrtle warbler, none of which is a carrion eater, or 

 known to show a preference for sea food. Yet these, 

 beside many other distinctly land forms, are as common 

 to the seashore as they are to their native woods and 

 fields. 



The secret of their presence lies in their food habits. 

 Most of them are insect eaters; and few places in the 

 world are more prolific of insect life than that line of 

 plant remains and other organic debris which marks 

 the tidal heights. 



While the scavenger w^ork of the seashore is per- 

 formed largely by beach fleas, the little amphipod 

 crustaceans Orchestia and Talitrus, terrestrial animals 

 having the same food habits, are vigorously disputing 

 their province. The number of insect species is not 

 large, but in numbers of individuals the proportions 

 are enormous. Those actively engaged in reducing the 

 jetsam are principally flesh flies {Sarcophagus) , car- 

 rion beetles (NecropJiorus) , and Staphylinid beetles. 

 Associated with these, however, is a tribe of parasitic 

 and predatory prowlers whose important business it is 

 to hold this prolific horde in check. Even worms — 

 mostly Enchytra?ids — are represented here; and occa- 

 sionally birds which are neither strictly scavengers nor 

 eaters of flesh are to be seen picking over the heaps for 

 tasteful tidbits. 



