GRASSHOPPERS IN GENERAL. 29 



It seems evident to me that, while some may enter from surround- 

 ing fields, this stripping of alfalfa at places designated is caused by 

 the insects being checked in their progress ; that is, this grasshopper, 

 when not feeding, moves, walks awhile, rests, walks, jumps, in no evi- 

 dent hurry, each one keeping a somewhat direct course. This action 

 obviously takes it to the borders of the alfalfa field. Here, finding its 

 food-plant extending no farther, it stops ; it may turn back, may travel 

 around the field, feeding as it goes. It is evident that this congregat- 

 ing along the borders reduces the vegetation, and alfalfa once cut 

 down furnishes in its young, tender shcots extra attractions, so that 

 the insects remain here and new growth can make no advancement. 



Around the obstructions above mentioned many more grasshoppers 

 could be seen than in the open parts of the fields. I spent much time 

 in the vicinity of ricks of alfalfa and noted the movements, in many 

 cases following the insects from the open field up to the ricks, and 

 saw them in many cases continue their course until they had reached 

 the rick, then jump off, and finally find their way past the rick. The 

 number seemed to be about the same on every side of the rick. I 

 speak of this matter in detail, for it was the one argument everywhere 

 advanced in favor of the theory of the insect's entrance from outside 

 territory. And that they do come from outside territory is generally 

 supposed to be the case. 



Length of Flight. The flight of this insect is low and heavy, be- 

 ing sustained for only a short distance. It is readily taken in the hop- 

 per-dozer having sheet-iron back three and one-half feet high. I have 

 never seen one carry itself 200 yards at a single flight, though aided 

 by strong winds. Riley and Thomas state that this locust has been 

 seen, though seldom, at considerable heights, apparently migrating. 



Habitat. The range of this species, as given by Scudder, embraces 

 the Mississippi valley north of latitude 43, south to the Gulf, west to 

 the Pacific, south to central Mexico. It has not been found above 

 6000 feet. Recently it has been taken in Camden county, New 

 Jersey. Its range in Kansas is defined by the cultivated districts. I 

 have seen it upon the streets of our largest cities, and on the tilled 

 soil of the high western plains. , 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



VERTEBRATE. All domestic fowls feed upon locusts ; chief among 

 these, and highly commendable, is a drove of turkeys. I have seen a 

 cat spend a whole day catching grasshoppers. A whole drove of 

 blackbirds would sometimes light down where these hoppers were 

 plentiful, and hold high carnival. The meadow-lark is a persistent 

 locust catcher, and this lark abounds in the localities visited. The 

 plover picks a locust to pieces now and then, seemingly preferring 



