HOUSE FINCH 307 



* * * Seeds of plants, mostly those of noxious weeds, constitute about seven- 

 eighths of its food for the year, and in some months amount to much more. In 

 view of this fact it seems strange that the house finch has acquired such a repu- 

 tation for fruit eating, and it can be explained only upon the principle alreadj' 

 laid down that in the fruit districts the bird is too numerous for the best eco- 

 nomic interests. While each house finch eats but a small modicum of fruit, the 

 aggregate of all that is eaten or destroyed by the species is something tremen- 

 dous. * * * 



Examination of linnet stomachs does not reveal any very considerable number 

 of blossom buds, and it is probable that but little of the alleged mischief to fruit 

 blossoms is done by this bird. Moreover, it may be stated that in most cases 

 budding by birds does little, if any, damage. It is only in very rare instances that 

 birds take the buds from a tree, or even enough to cause considerable loss. * * * 



Before the settlement of the Pacific coast region it is evident that the linnet must 

 have subsisted almost entirely upon the seeds of plants growing wild in the valleys 

 and canyons. With the advent of civilization two new articles of food were pre- 

 sented — grain and fruit. It would seem natural for the linnet, especially equipped 

 as the bird is to extract the kernel of seeds, to have chosen the former, as did 

 the blackbirds, doves, and some other species; but for some reason best known to 

 itself it selected fruit. How much the character of the food had to do with the 

 bird's choice it is impossible to say, but it is probable that attendant conditions 

 greatly influenced the result. Grain is grown on large, open areas, with few or no 

 trees to afford nesting sites, while orchards offer every inducement to linnets as a 

 permanent residence. Moreover, much of the fruit-growing section of the State 

 is divided into small holdings, each with a dwelling with accompanying barns, 

 sheds, and other buildings that afford ideal homes for these birds. * * * 



Although the great bulk of fringilline birds normally subsist principally upon 

 seeds, at certain times, notably in the breeding season, they eat a considerable 

 quantity of animal food, mostly insects. Moreover, their young while still in the 

 nest are usually fed largely, and in some cases entirely, upon insects. Quite the 

 contrary is true of the linnet. The adults eat only a small percentage of animal 

 food, even in the breeding period, and feed their nestlings no more, perhaps less, 

 than they eat themselves. In this respect the linnet is probably unique in its 

 family. Such animal food as the bird does eat, however, is much to its credit. 

 Plant-lice (Aphidae), especially the woolly species, constitute a large portion of 

 this part of the linnet's food; caterpillars and a few beetles make up most of 

 the remainder. 



M. P. Skinner (1930) wTites: "The house finches * * * of the 

 San Joaquin Valley are certainly developing a great fondness for 

 watermelon. On July 7 and 8, 1930, I watched them at a feeding 

 station thirty mUes north of Bakersfield. During the morning 

 hours, and stUl more diu-ing the afternoon hours, there was a steady 

 stream of these birds to some waterm^eion rinds for the ripe water- 

 melon pulp stiU present. Most of these feasting birds were young 

 of the year, but there was also a fair number of both adult males 

 and adult females. At first I thought the birds were attracted 

 because of thirstiness; but soon after that, I noted that pulp that 

 was almost dry was taken as well. " Esther Reeks (1920) noticed 

 these birds eating regularly from a block of pressed salt and sidphiu", 

 apparently being the only birds attracted to it. Various observers 



646-737 — 68 — pt. 1 22 



