84 BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA AFFECTING FRUIT INDUSTRY. 



food consists so largely of insects and as these include so small a per- 

 centage of useful kinds, the kinglet must be classed as one of the 

 most beneficial of birds. To the horticulturist it is especially valu- 

 able, as nearly all of its food is obtained from trees. With respect to 

 the persistency with which it forages among trees, it differs conspicu- 

 ously from such aboreal species as leave the trees in midsummer to 

 feed upon grasshoppers. 



AVESTERX GOLDEX-CROWX KIXGLET. 



{RcffitlKn sniraim oUvaceus.) 



Another kinglet, the western golden-crown, occurs sparingly in 

 winter in some parts of California. Only 9 stomachs have been 

 examined, but these in the nature of their contents are so similar to 

 those of the ruby-crown that statements applicable to the latter are 

 almost certain to apply as well to this species. No vegetable matter 

 was found in any of the 9 stomachs, and the insects belong to the 

 same orders and were taken in essentially the same proportions as by 



the other species. 



Following is a list of beetles which were identified in the stomachs 



to 



of the two kinglets : 



Cocciiiclhi I. valifonrica. Aphodiiis ru(jlfrons. 



Adalia frigida. f)ia<hii.s diinitits. 



i^cymnii.^ j)aUcns. Cicpiilodcru hvliiites. 



Scijiiiiiiis iirbiilosiix. J-Jpitri.r /Htrnihi. 



Hcspcrolxiitux abbrcridliis. Aoto.riis ahniicdd: 



Vorticaria ferrmjinca. Anthims iiitidiiliis. 



Throscus scriceii.^. Anion rcKpertiiiiDii. 



Listrus internipiKs. I'iliiophthontH puhipcinils. 



Beetles were identified as belonging to the following families: 



Staphyliiiida'. Scarabteidjv. 



Coccinell ida'. Chrysomel i dii-. 



.Alonotoniida'. Teneln-ioiiida?. 



Lathridiida'. Anthicidc-e. 



Elaterida". Curculionidiv. 



Throscidse. Scolytidti?. 



Lampyrida^. Other Rbyncbophora. 

 Malachiidae. 



GNATCATCHERS. 



(Polioptila spp.) 



Gnatcatchers are small, active birds of modest colors and unob- 

 trusive notes. While not conspicuous, they are none the less deserv- 

 ing of respect and consideration. No complaints have been made 

 that these busy creatures ever injure fruit or other crops. Their food 



