NUTHATCHES AND TITMICE. 77 



bodies are of the softest texture specific identification is not possible. 

 Many of them, however, Avere determined to be of the species com- 

 monly called ' Avoolly aphides,' as their bodies are covered with a 

 white cottony or woolly substance. Aphides were identified in 30 

 stomachs, but it is probable that they w^ere contained in more, as a 

 pasty mass that could only be called ' hemipterous remains ' w^as of 

 frequent occurrence. Leaf-hoppers were found in many stomachs, 

 and appear to be favorite food. Tree-hoppers also are eaten to a con- 

 siderable extent, and as their bodies are hard, like those of beetles, 

 they are more easily recognized than plant-lice. The jumping plant- 

 lice were found in a fcAv stomachs, but were rather difficult to dis- 

 tinguish in the conglomeration of plant-lice and other soft-bodied 

 insects. False chinch bugs Avere found in a number of stomachs 

 from the southern part of the State. These, perhaps, w^ere the best 

 preserved of any of the insects, for in most cases they could be dis- 

 tinguished individually. Over 50 Avere taken from one stomach. 



Next to the bug family, the favorite food of the bush tits seems to 

 be beetles. They constitute somcAvhat over 10 percent of the year's 

 food and attain their maximum in September, Avhen they amount to 

 a little more than 27 percent of the food. The fewest were taken in 

 December — less than 1 percent — but in all the other months they Avere 

 foinid to a moderate extent except in the one stomach taken in April, 

 which contained none. Among them w^ere species of the ladybug 

 family (Coccinellidfe), Avhich are useful insects, as they are mostly 

 carnivorous and feed largely upon plant-lice. In order to ascertain 

 just hoAv much harm the tit does in de\'ouring ladybugs, a separate 

 account was kept, and it was found that the total amount eaten dur- 

 ing the year was 2.4 percent of the Avhole food. Most of these insects 

 w^ere eaten in September and October, Avhen the consumption 

 amounted to 11 and 6 percent, respectively. These are the only 

 decidedly useful insects eaten by the bush tit, and in vicAV of their 

 small number the subject may be dismissed Avithout further com- 

 ment. The other beetles taken Avere largely small leaf-beetles (Chrys- 

 omelidse), all of Avhich are harmful. With them Avere some small 

 w^eevils (Rhynchophora), Avhich feed upon seeds and other parts of 

 plants, Avith a fcAv scolytids that burroAV under the bark of trees to 

 their great injury. 



Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), most of them in the larval 

 form (caterpillars), are next to beetles in importance in the food of 

 the bush tit. They are, however, far from being such favorite food 

 as bugs. The total is a little more than IG percent. They are fairly 

 evenly distributed through the year, though in spring and early sum- 

 mer they are consumed to a somewhat larger extent than in fall and 

 Avinter. The greatest consumption was in May, Avhen they aggregated 



