15 



*'****** 



FIG. 7. Photograph of stomach contents of a western meadowlark taken in a barley 

 field at El Toro, Orange County, California, May 3, 1911. The stomach contained 

 2 cutworms, 44 ground beetles (Calathus ruficollis), 2 flies, 1 spider, and 13 fly 

 pupae (Syrphus.). (Original.) 



The total food for the year consists of 58.6 per cent of animal matter 

 and 41.4 per cent of vegetable matter. This result differs considerably 

 from that of Beale (Birds of California, U. S. Dept. Agric., Div. Biol. 

 Surv., Bull. 34, 1910, p. 66). In the examination of 91 meadowlarks 

 collected in California Dr. Beale found 70 per cent of animal and 30 

 per cent of vegetable matter. The difference may be due to the fact that 

 most of the birds examined by the writer were evenly distributed 

 through the year and were collected in localities where grain was 

 obtainable. This larger percentage of vegetable matter does not neces- 

 sarily minimize the value of the bird, for a large part (30 per cent) is 

 made up of weed seed. It seems reasonable to believe that the examina- 

 tion of a larger number of stomachs of meadowlarks will not appreciably 

 change these results. It can be expected, however, that additional data 

 will smooth out the accompanying curve. 



Stomach examination of red-winged blackbirds has demonstrated the 

 fact that they feed to a considerable extent on vegetable matter, weed 

 seed being the principal element. Cutworms and grasshoppers form a 

 large percentage of the food when they^re available. 



Brewer blackbirds take a larger percentage of animal food than do the 

 red-wings. They appear to be especially beneficial in the destruction of 

 cut worms, wireworms, and grasshoppers. 



Too few stomachs have been examined to give any adequate idea of 

 the food-habits of the western robin. The material found in the 

 stomachs examined has been composed largely of wild fruit and cut- 

 worms. One hundred and ninety-two small cutworms were found in one 

 of the stomachs. 



