70 THE WEST AMERICAN SCIENTIST. 



ing up the young corn, melons and squashes; destroys mature 

 corn in the same way that the California jay does — by stripping 

 down the husks and eating the kernels. A specimen dissected 

 June 7, 1885, contained 90 per cent or honey bees (Apis mellifica), 

 a few seeds and one Silpha ramosa (This beetle is beneficial; I 

 have watched them destroy the chrysalises of the cut- worm moth). 

 This species is also very fond of worms and caterpillars* I have 

 watched them catch aquatic larva, A resident species. 



House Finch is not insectivorous, feeds entirely upon seedsj 

 attacks the different varieties of fruit and feeds largely upon the 

 seeds of the cruciferse. Resident. 



Brown Towhee is almost entirely granivorous; insects form a 

 very small per cent, of its food and is very destructive in the or- 

 chard. Resident. 



Black Headed Grosbeak feeds upon seeds and insects and is 

 a most voracious bird in the orchard. This species destroys a 

 great many destructive insects. A specimen dissected June 7, 

 1885, contained 12 spotted squash beetles (diabrotica soros) and 

 nothing else. Migratory; arrives about March 26^ and departs 

 about September 30. 



Orioles are insectivorous and frugivorous, committing great 

 depredations in the orchard. If it were not for the accusation 

 just mentioned these birds would be exceedingly useful, and as it 

 is they are more beneficial in the devouring of noxious insects 

 than any other birds. Migratory; arrives March 17, departs 

 August 20. 



Quail are exceedingly destructive in the vineyard. Residents 



The Crow is everywhere noted for its mischievousness. 



The California Jay is like the crow in its harmful ravages; 

 feeds upon the honey-bee and devours the eggs of other birds. 

 Resident. 



Poway^ San Diego County, CaL 



F. E. Blaisdell. 



^Written for the West)American Scientist.] 



THE YELELLA* 



Among the many interesting forms of Medusae are two beau-^ 

 tiful genera called Yelella and Porpita. Yelella has borne the 

 name which designated its most striking peculiarity since the mid- 

 dle of the fifteenth century, on account, perhaps, of a somewhat 

 fanciful likeness to a little sail. It is commonly called in Florida, 

 where it is sometimes abundant, the 'floaty and is likewise com-* 



