11 



and identifying the different kinds of food. A determination of the 

 number of insects, seeds, etc., is made by counts. The number of grass- 

 hoppers and crickets eaten is determined by a count of the paired 

 mandibles found. The undigested skins furnish evidence as to the 

 number of cutworms; and the number of heads found determines the 

 number of beetles and bugs. The data both as to the bird and the 

 stomach contents is then recorded on a stomach blank. The stomach 

 contents has been preserved in small vials in every case, so that a verifi- 



FIG. 4. Photograph of the stomach contents of a western meadowlark, taken in a 

 grainfield at El Toro, Orange County, California, May 5, 1911. The stomach 

 contained 19 oat kernels, oat hulls, and parts of two small beetles. (Original.) 



cation of the work is possible at all times. Final data is recorded on 

 large blanks, which, when bound together, will give a complete record 

 of each stomach examined. 



The following is a summary of the stomachs microscopically examined 

 in the laboratory, from January 1, 1911, to June 30, 1912: 



Bird Stomachs Microscopically Examined January 1, 1911, to June SO, 1912. 



I 



I 





25 I 1,011 



