DIET 213 



many, however, but once or twice during the Investigation. 



Ants (Formicidael were noted more frequently than any other kind of animal food. 

 The large black carpenter ant (Camponotus herculeanus) was eaten by 327 chicks and 

 168 adults, the highest incidence for any one animal. These ants were equally popular 

 throughout the State, although the number taken was not large. A bird from Delaware 

 County (N.Y.) ate 19 and several others selected above 15, but fewer were usually taken. The 

 little brown wood ants of the genus Myrmica were often eaten in great numbers. A chick, 

 on July 15, picked up 208 at a single feeding. It, together with three others, all mem- 

 bers of the same brood, accounted for 49.3 myrmicas. Ants of the genus Formica and the 

 little brownish cornfield ant (Lasiiis nigerj were also relished. 



Saw-flies (Tenthredinidae) were the second best-liked group of Hymenoplera, these wood- 

 land pests being taken by 139 chicks and 28 mature grouse. Both adults and larvae were 

 avidly eaten, as many as 24 of the former being found in the last meal of a young bird from 

 Sullivan County (N.Y.). Ichneumon-flies (Ichneumonidae) also are commonly eaten. 



Beetles (Coleoptera) represented the most diversified food group. 228 different kinds 

 being noted. Usually adults, but occasionally larvae, and e\en eggs, are ingested. The 

 stomach of one bird contained 300 beetle eggs. Ground inhabiting larvae, as wire-worms 

 (Elateridae) and May beetles fPhyllophaga) are occasionally turned up and devoured. 

 Adult beetles are usually taken one or two at a time, but some active chicks managed to 

 corral as many as 15 or more of the same species. One from Jefferson County (N.Y.) had 

 eaten 18 strawberry weevils ( Brachyrhinus rugifrons) and one from Albany County (N.Y.) 

 15 weevils of a closely allied genus. Weevils (Curculionidae I are a usual source of food 

 to young and old alike, those of a single genus having been taken bv 1.59 chicks. Ground 

 beetles (Carabidae) and leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) also were relished. Members of the genus 

 Galenicella, American counterparts of the destructive European elm leaf beetle long estab- 

 lished in this country, were frequently taken, as many as 14 being found in a single stomach. 



Moths and rarely butterflies (Lepidoptera), are eaten by the grouse during their periods of 

 availability. Larvae are preferred, but eggs, cocoons and adults are occasionally taken. The 

 stomach of a very young bird collected on June 10 not far from Ithaca contained 38 larvae. 

 In a bird from Delaware County (N.Y.) 153 moth eggs were counted. 



Grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera), abundant in late summer, provide a good source 

 of bulk food. Judd"° reported grouse from New Hampshire, in September, 1898, as feeding 

 extensively on grasshoppers. The remains of 15 red-legged grasshoppers (Melanoplus femur- 

 rubrum) were present in the gizzard of a bird from the Southern Tier (N.Y.). This was one 

 of 12 chicks collected there the first three days of July which together had consumed 39 

 grasshoppers. As a group these 12 birds ate 243 insects of a immber of different species in 

 addition to 15,150 seeds. If that fairly represents one meal for a brood, the total food con- 

 sumed during the entire summer must be stupendous. Field crickets (Gryllus assimilis) also 

 apparently are fair game for the grouse, as many as 20 being found in a single bird. 



Spiders and daddy long-legs (Arachnida) are eaten regularly, but rarely in quantity, evi- 

 dently being taken in haphazard feeding rather than by persistent search. That they were 

 found in almost two-thirds of all chick stomachs, however, testifies as to their acceptability. 

 Stink-l>ugs of the genus fEuschistus) are more frequentlv taken than other true bugs (Hemi- 

 |)tera), and the scale insects and plant lice (Homoptera) also received some attention. 



Snails are an occasional food, sometimes taken in large numbers. Almost the entire crop 



