METHODS OF BIRD STUDY 



47 



easily tamed, and may be fed on honey and water, half and half, 

 with plant lice and spiders. All should be familiar with the : 



Whippoorwill Antfostomus vociferus. 

 Nighthawk Chordeiles virginidnus. 

 Chimney swift Chcetura peldgica. 

 Ruby-throated humming bird Archilochus colubris. 



Order Passeres (passer, " a sparrow ") perching birds. In this 

 largest order, which contains more than half the species to be 

 studied, the family names will be of assistance in distinguish- 

 ing the various groups. 



Family Tyrannidcz flycatchers. Types: 



Kingbird Tyrdnnus tyrdnnus. 

 Crested flycatcher Myidrchus crimtus. 

 Phoebe Saydrnis phw.be. 

 Wood pewee Myioclianes virens. 

 Least flycatcher Empidonax minimus. 



Almost the entire food of this group, as the name indicates, is 

 insects, and stomach examinations have proved that the insects taken 

 are mainly injurious. From the common habit of watching from a 

 conspicuous perch and flitting 

 out to catch insects as they 

 pass, the flycatchers are most 

 interesting birds to study, espe- 

 cially in ascertaining exactly 

 how many insects a bird may 

 catch within a given time. A 

 laboratory period devoted to 

 such work will instill a higher 

 appreciation of the value of 

 bird life than will any other 

 lesson in the course. 



The only question as to 



FIG. 22. Chipping sparrow feeding young 

 cowbird 



the value of the group refers 

 to the kingbird and its de- 

 struction of the honeybees. While few bees have been found in its 

 stomach, and it was therefore acquitted of serious injury, hundreds of 

 crushed bees have since been discovered under its favorite perches, when 



