4 OUR VANISHING SHOREBIRDS. 



larvse of these flies have been found in the stomachs of the dowitcher, 

 the pectoral sandpiper, the hudsonian godwit, and the killdeer. Two 

 species of shorebirds, the killdeer and upland plover, still further be- 

 friend cattle by devouring the North American fever tick. 



Among other fly larvae consumed are those of the crane flies 

 (leatherjackets) devoured by the following species: 



Northern phalarope (LoUpcs lobatus). Pectoral sandpiper ( PisoUa maculata). 



Wilson phalarope (Stcganopus tri- Baird sandpiper (PisoUa bairdi). 



color}. Upland plover (Bartramia longi- 



Woodcock (Philohela minor). cauda). 



Jacksnipe (Gallinago delicata). Killdeer (Oxycclins vocifcmts). 



Crane-fly larvae are frequently seriously destructive locally in grass 

 lands and wheat fields. Among their numerous bird enemies, shore- 

 birds rank high. 



Another group of insects of which the shorebirds are very fond is 

 grasshoppers. Severe local infestations of grasshoppers, frequently 

 involving the destruction of many acres of corn, cotton, and other 

 crops, are by no means exceptional. Aughey found 23 species of 

 shorebirds feeding on Rocky Mountain locusts in Nebraska, some 

 of them consuming large numbers, as shown below. 



9 killdeer stomachs contained an average of 28 locusts each. 



11 seniipalmated plover stomachs contained an average of 38 locusts each. 

 16 mountain plover stomachs contained an average of 45 locusts each. 

 11 jacksnipe stomachs contained an average of 37 locusts each. 

 22 upland plover stomachs contained an average of 36 locusts each. 



10 long-billed curlew stomachs contained an average of 48 locusts each. 



Even under ordinary conditions grasshoppers are a staple food 

 of many members of the shorebird family, and the following species 

 are known to feed on them : 



Northern phalarope (LoUpcs lobatus). Upland plover (Bartramia longicauda). 



Avocet (Rccurvirostra americana). Buff-breasted sandpiper (Tryngitcs 

 Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexi- siiUuficollis). 



canus). Spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia). 



Woodcock (Philohela minor). Long-billed curlew (Numenius amcri- 

 Jacksnipe (Gallinago delicata). canus). 



Dowitcher (Macrorhamphus griseus). Black-bellied plover (Squatarola squat- 

 Hobin snipe (Tringa canutus). arola). 



White-r umped sandpiper (PisoUa fus- Golden plover (Charadrius dominions). 



cicollis). Killdeer (O.cyccJius rocifcms). 



Baird sandpiper (PisoUa bairdi). Seniipalmated plover (JEgialitis semi- 

 Least sandpiper (PisoUa minutilla). palmata). 



Marbled godwit (Limosa fcdoa). Ringed plover (sEgiaUUs hiaticula). 



Yellowlegs (Totanus flavipcs) . Mountain plover (Podasocys monta- 

 Solitary Scindpiper (Helodromas soli- nn-s). 



tarius.) Turnstone (Arenaria inlcrprcs). 



