44 B.C. Entomolo(;ic.\l Society. 



the number of grasshoppers ; but. at the same time, it was estimated that on a 

 square mile in an infested area the birds accounted for 120.44.5 grasshoppers dail.v, 

 which must mean an enormous saving of damage. 



The following is a list of useful birds likely to occur in the Nicola Valle.v. The 

 nomenclatui'e is that of the A.O.U. Check-list, 3rd edition. It must be pointed out 

 that the figures given as to the percentage of grasshoppers eaten does not always 

 refer to the particular species or subspecies found here In the West, but to the 

 Eastern form. 



Western JMeadow-lark {StiiyneUa ncglecta). 



This will probably be found to be the greatest locust-destroyer, and being present 

 In large numbers during the summer it is of great economic importance. The per- 

 centage of grasshoppers eaten is 29 per cent, for the year and 42 per cent, during 

 August. 



Deseet SrAKROw-HAWK OR KiTTY HAWK (Falco gparveHiis plialctva). 



This bird ranks very high as a grasshopper-destroyer and is almndant every- 

 where during the summer. Of 410 stomachs examined, 314 contained insects mostly 

 grasshoppei-s. I have seen a great number of these birds shot under the impression 

 that they are destructive to poultry; this is a popular erroneous idea, and farmers 

 should be warned against shooting them. It is very seldom that they take birds, 

 especially chickens, and then only when they are very small. 



Arkansas Kingbird (Tyrannus verticaJis). 



A very abundant species, with a great liking for grasshoppers ; percentage for 

 year, 20 per cent. 



Kingbird (TyraiDiii-'i turniiiiHs). 



Similar habits to the above. 

 Western Bluebird {Sialia inexicaua occideiitaJis). 

 Mountain Bluebird (t^ialia ciimiroUJes). 



Although it might not be expected that so small a bird as the bluebird would 

 be capable of consuming many grasshoppers, yet these insects form 22 per cent, of 

 its diet throughout the year and 60 per cent, during August and September. 



Western Robin (Planesticus migratorius caurinus Grinnell). 



This bird, which is iiarticularly common during the late summer, feeds on 

 grasshopiiers to the extent of 10 per cent for the year and 30 per cent, for August. 



Northwestern Crow {Corvus caurinus). 



Grasshoppers form the leading diet of this bird during August. 

 Black-he^vded Jay {Ciianocitta stelleri aiinectens). 



Grasshoppers form 5 per cent, of the diet for the year, 14 per cent, for Jul.v. 

 IS per cent, for August, and 10 per cent, for September. They are not found in any 

 numbers except in the wooded regions. 



Brewer's Blackbird {EiipJia!iii'< ciiaiioccpJidhis). 



In California this bird ranks with the meadow-lark in being the most useful 

 grasshopper-destroyer. 



Columbia Sharp-tailed Grouse- (Pedioecete-^ j)hasianclh(s cohdiiJiioiiiis). 



Although this species is said not to be of such value as the true prairie-chicken, 

 yet it Is probable that they consume large quantities of gi-asshoppers late in the 

 summer. From nine stomachs examined, six contained 174 grasshoppers. 



Blue Grouse (Denclragaims oMcunis richardsoni). 



The young of this species Is fed largely on grasshoppers ; the stomach of one 

 examined contained twenty. 



