1 66 



Indian Museum Notes. 



[Vol. IV. 



calidum), a predaceous beetle of large size and vile odor. Passalus 

 cornutus, one of the staghorns, a large insect, was also found, as 

 well as a pair of mandibles belonging to Prionus brevicornus, one of 

 the largest beetles in the United States. A preference for large 

 beetles is one of the pronounced characteristics of this woodpecker. 

 Weevils were tound in 15 stomachs, and in several cases as many as 

 10 were present. Remains of Carabid beetles were found in 44 

 stomachs to an average amount of 24 per cent, of the contents of 

 those that contained them, or 10 per cent of all. The fact that 43 per 

 cent, of all the birds taken had eaten these beetles, some of them to 

 the extent of 16 individuals, shows a decided fondness for these 

 insects, and taken with the fact that 5 stomachs contained Cicindelids 

 or tiger beetles forms a rather strong indictment against the bird. 



Grasshoppers and crickets formed 6 per cent, of the whole food, a 

 larger percentage than in any of the other seven species. The aggre- 

 gate for all other insects is 4 per cent, and the most important kinds 

 are wasps and their allies. As this bird has often been seen capturing 

 insects on the wing,^ it is probable that the wasps were taken in that 

 way. 



The vegetable food of the Redhead presents considerable variety, 

 and shows some points of difference from that of the other wood- 

 peckers. The tollowmg, is the list of substances identified : 



Grain :— 



Corn. 

 Fruit :— 



Dogwood berries {Cornus'candidissima 

 and C. -florida). 



Huckleberries {Gaylussacia). 



Strawberries {Fragaria). 



Blackberries or raspberries {Rubus). 



Mulberries {Morus). 



Elderberries {Sambucus). 



Wild black cherries {Prunus serotina). 



Choke cherries {Prunus virgimana). 



Cultivated cherries. 



Wild grapes {Vitis cordifolia). 



Fruit — continued. 



Apples. 



Pears. 



Unidentified. 

 Miscellaneous : 



Sumac seeds (Rhus copallina 

 and R. glabra). 



Ragweed seeds {Ambrosia). 



Pigweed seeds {Che no podium). 



Acorns {Quercus). 



Seeds unidentified. 



Galls. 



Flower anthers. 



Rubbfsh, 



Corn was found in 1 7 stomachs, collected from May to September 

 inclusive, and amounted to more than 7 per cent, of all the food. 

 While it seems to be eaten in any condition, that taken in the late 

 summer was in the milk, and evidently picked from standing ears. 

 This being the largest percentage of grain shown by any of the seven 

 species corroborates some of the testimony received, and indicates 



• See Merriam, Bull. Nuttall Ornith. 

 and Stream, Volume IX, January 17, 18 



Club, Volume III, July i 87S, page 126 j also Forest 

 3, page 451. 



