Vo1 ' illi YI11 ] Kennedy, Fruit-eating Habits of the Sage Thrasher. 227 



up from the vines to near posts and silently watch any intruder. 

 While during the earlier summer they flock in what are probably 

 family groups, during the latter part of the summer no flocking 

 occurs, though as many as a dozen individuals may be seen in the 

 vineyard at one time, which on being driven out fly each in a differ- 

 ent direction. 



On this ranch there are 140 vines of Campbell's Early. The 

 actual loss in weight of grapes through bird damage was 25 %, but 

 the loss in profits was not less than 50 % because of the large item 

 of labor in trimming damaged clusters, and the loss in fancy value 

 through the unattractive appearance of the trimmed bunches (Figs. 

 1-3). By September 1 the Campbell's Early were gone, and the 

 Thrashers began to eat the foreign (Vitis vinifera) grapes in a 

 mixed vineyard, the black varieties of which were beginning to 

 color. The black varieties, Black Hamburg, Cornichou and 

 Ramonia were damaged, as was also the Flame Tokay, a red 

 grape. At no time did the birds injure any green or yellowish 

 varieties, for among the vinifera varieties the Muscat, Malaga and 

 Thompson's Seedless were untouched, while among the domestic 

 varieties, the green-colored Moore's Diamond and Niagara were 

 uninjured. Of red grapes the foreign Flame Tokays were damaged 

 some just after coloring and while yet sour, but the red honey-like 

 Delawares were untouched. The 140 vines of Campbell's Early, 

 which were so badly damaged, were in the center of four acres of 

 Concord grapes, which were entirely untouched. The explanation 

 of this seems to be that the Thrashers prefer a grape with the two 

 characteristics, a dark color and sourness. Concord grapes lose 

 their acidity on first turning color, while Campbell's Early have a 

 sprightly sub-acid flavor until fully ripe. Furthermore the red 

 Flame Tokays were unmolested after they had ripened to sweetness. 



Ten stomachs were examined with the following results: — 



Fruit in Stomach Insects in Stomach 



1 1 Grape pulp, skin, 2 seeds 1 locust 



2 Grape pulp, skin, 4 seeds 1 large beetle, numerous ants 



3 Grape pulp, , 4 seeds 



4 Grape pulp, skin, 2 seeds 



5 Grape skin 1 locust, 3 ants, remains of other 



ants 



iNos. 1-5 killed Aug. 20, 10 a. m. to 3 p. m.; 



