FOOD HABITS OF THRUSHES. 



19 



white grubs that destroy the roots of so many plants, were eaten to< 

 the extent of 3.44 per cent. Snout beetles, among the most harmful 

 of insects, were taken to the extent of 3.13 per cent. Among these 

 was the notorious plum curculio (C onotraehelus nenuphar) found in 

 two stomachs taken in the District of Columbia in April of different 

 years. Two other 



species of the same 

 genus also were 

 found, as well as 

 the clover weevil 

 {Epiccerus imbri- 

 catus). The Colo- 

 rado potato beetle 

 (Leptinotarsa de- 

 cemlineata) a n d 

 the striped squash 

 beetle {Diabrotica 

 vittata) , with a 

 number of other 

 species of less no- 

 toriety, were 

 found in several 

 stomachs, 

 spite 



m 



Thus, 

 of the 

 bird's retiring 

 habits, it comes 

 in contact with 

 some of the pests 

 of cultivation. 



The ants de- 

 stroyed — 12.46 per 

 cent of the food — 

 keep up the repu- 

 tation of thrushes 

 as ant eaters. 

 They were taken 

 constantly every 

 month, with the 

 greatest number 

 from May to September : a falling off in July is partly accounted for 

 by the fact that more fruit is taken in that month. Other Hymenop- 

 tera (bees and wasps) were eaten to the extent of 5.41 per cent, a 

 suprising amount for a bird that feeds so largely upon the ground, 

 as these insects are usually of fleet wing and live in sunshine and 

 open air. 



Fig. 2. — Hermit thrush 



B2085-73 

 (Hylocichla guttata). 



