808 Pomona College Journal op Entomology 



Grasshoppers usually form the largest percentage of inseet food for the 

 year. The following species have been identified : Melanoplus differentialis, 

 Camnula pcUiicida, Arphia sp., Conozoa hchrcnsi, and Ocdul<o)iotus 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 larviB 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 {I'latypedia sp.). Species of 

 Podisus and Euschistus have been identified. The leaf hopper Stictocephala 

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

 sp. are also taken as food. 



Ants form the largest percentage of the hymenopterous insects taken. 

 Messor andrei, Pogonomyrmex californicus, 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, tte drone fly {Eristalis sp.) and pupsE of flower flies 

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



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

 the stomachs of the western meadowlai'k. Still more remarkable is the fact 

 that some of the millipedes {Juhts 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 

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

 pieces before being swallowed. 



Almost the only crustacean found in the stomachs has be^n the connnon 

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

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



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

 food of the western meadowlark. The egg eases appear to be taken more often 

 than the spiders themselves. The grass spiders (Agalenida;), form the 

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



Among the insects which are usually considered protected from attacks 

 of birds are the cow killers (Mutillidffi). Stomachs of at least six of the 

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

 These insects were but slightly crushed, and it seems strange that the 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 {Tennopsis sp. ?). 



There has been considerable discussion of late as to whether butterflies 

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

 than -10,001) stomachs have found but four records of birds eating butterflies, 



