CO Foou OF WEST VIRGINIA BIBDS 



a rather large bird about the size of a Bob-white and having some of the 

 marks of this bird. But its prominent white tail-feathers, the sharp 

 metallic twitter which it utters frequently as it goes on its peculiar 

 flight, and the fact that it ofteen alights on a fence, tree, or stump serve 

 to distinguish it from the famous game bird which it resembles in some 

 respects. This bird, the Meadowlark, is quite common in West Vir- 

 ginia. Even in mid-winter these birds may be found. As has been said, 

 they are like the Bob-white in color, though the throat and breast are a 

 beautiful bright yellow set off with a black crescent. Since these birds 

 feed on the ground it may be inferred that they eat such insects and 

 grains and weed seeds as may be gathered there. This is true, and 

 it is has been proven by the examination of stomachs that this bird 

 is almost wholly beneficial. One stomach examined by the experts in the 

 Biological Survey at Washington contained fragments of 37 grasshop- 

 pers. In the grasshopper month, August, the Meadowlarks live almost 

 entirely upon these destructive insects. 



The Orioles. 



The Orioles are chiefly noted for their beauty of plumage, their pleas- 

 ing songs and their hanging nests. Though Orioles are quite abundant 

 in the warmer sections of America, we have but two species in West 

 Virginia. These are the Orchard Oriole and the Baltimore Oriole. The 

 former species is not at all rare, though few persons have observed it 

 on account of its retiring ways and inconspicuous manners. The song of 

 the Orchard Oriole is very pleasing and its plumage is rich and varied. 

 The adult male in full plumage is a deep chestnut red with black head, 

 throat, wings and tail. The younger males and the females are yellow 

 with olive-green backs and tails, and fuscous wings. The young males 

 have black throats. The food of this species consists of insects and 

 fruit. During the past season I observed the Orchard Orioles feeding 

 upon sweet cherries, wild mulberries and service berries. Our other 

 species, the namesake of Lord Baltimore, is well known because of the 

 exceedingly brilliant plumage of orange, black and white. The females 

 have the same color pattern as the males, but are far less brilliant. 

 Along all our West Virginia streams this bird may be found, especially 

 where the elm and sycamore trees grow. It is common also about 

 orchards and in the shade trees in our cities and towns. The food of 

 this beautiful species consists of insects, a small amount of cultivated 

 fruit, wild fruits of several kinds, and a few green peas. Out of 113 

 stomachs examined by the Biological Survey at Washington only two 

 contained remains of peas. These birds are sometimes accused of eating 

 grapes, but I have seen no evidences of this. During the past summer 

 Mr. King, my assistant, and I found them eating wild mulberries, black 

 berries, common elderberries and wild black cherries. The Baltimore 

 Oriole is said to feed upon beetles, bugs, ants, wasps, grasshoppers and 

 some spiders. The beetles are principally click beetles or "snapping 

 bugs," the larvae of which are very desttructive. 



