808 Pomona College Journ.vl of Entomology 



Grasshoppers usually form the largest percentage of insect food for the 

 year. The following species have been identified: Melanoplus differ entialis, 

 Camnula pellucida, Arphia sp., Conozoa behrensi, and Oedaleonotus enigma. 

 The common black cricket {Gryllus sp.) and the Jerusalem cricket {Stenopel- 

 matus sp.) are also regular articles of diet. 



During the spring months cutworms and caterpillars form a large per- 

 centage of the food. Wireworms {Drasterius sp.) and other beetle lavvx are 

 taken to a less extent. 



Among the Hemiptera the stink bugs (Pentatomida;) are the ones most 

 commonly found in the stomachs, also the cicada {Platypedia sp.). Species of 

 Fodisus and Euschistus have been identified. The leaf hopper Stictocephala 

 franciscana has been found in several instances. Corimaelina sp. and Anasa 

 sp. are also taken as food. 



Ants form the largest percentage of the hymenopterous insects taken. 

 Messor andrei, Pogonomynnex calif ornicus, Fornica sp., and Camponotus sp., 

 are naturally most often found in the stomachs. Ichneumon flies and certain 

 black wasps have also been found. The common honey bee is occasionally 

 taken. 



Among the Diptera, tlie drone tiy {Eristalis sp.) and pupaj of flower flies 

 {Syrphus sp.) are the only representatives which have been identified. 



Certain of the common centipedes {Scoleopeiidra sp.) are often found in 

 the stomachs of the western meadowlark. Still more remarkable is the fact 

 that some of the millipedes {Julus sp.) are even more often found in their 

 stomachs. Millipedes are usually considered to be well protected from attack 

 by certain secretions which produce a pungent odor. 



In the stomachs of two western meadowlarks taken in the vicinity of 

 Sau Diego, two adult scorpions were found, they having been well beaten to 

 pieces before being swallowed. 



Almost the only crustaceau fuiiiul iu the stomachs has been the coimnon 

 sow-bug [Porcellio scaber). Only one meadowlark so far has contained the 

 remains of snails. These appeared to be the couunon small variety. 



Spiders and their egg cases form a rather constant percentage of the 

 food of the western meadowlark. The egg cases appear to l)e taken more often 

 than the spiders themselves. The grass spiders (Agalenichc), form the 

 largest per cent. Daddy-long-legs are also taken. 



Among the insects which are usiuilly considered protected from attacks 

 of birds are the cow' killers (Mutillida-). Stomachs of at least six of the 

 meadowlarks examined have contained cow killers {Sphacrophthahiui sp.). 

 These insects were but slightly crushed, and it seems strange that tlie birds 

 were able to swallow them without being stung. Several wasps have been 

 found in the stomachs. In one case a couple of birds had eaten over a hun- 

 dred white ants {Termopsis sp.?). 



There has been considerable discussion of late as to whether butterflies 

 are eaten by birds. The U. S. liiological Survey in the examination of more 

 than 40,000 stomachs have found but four records of birds eating butterflies, 



