APPENDIX II. — AUGHEY ON LOCUST-FEEDING BIRDS. [23] 



SiURUS N^vius, (Bodd.) Coues. 

 Water Thrush. 



Occasionally met with in Northeastern Nebraska, where, near Ponca, Dixon County, 

 I found the young, hut never saw the nest. This was in 18G5. In the same month, 

 June, I killed one near a slough, among some thickets. It had 19 locusts and 30 other 

 insects in its craw. 



SiURUS MOTACiLLA, (Vieill.) Bp. 



Large-billed Water Thrush. 



Have seen this bird only in Southeastern Nebraska, in the timber along the Nemaha, 

 near its mouth. Examined one specimen only, in June, 1875. It contained in its cra.w 

 13 locusts and 37 other insects. Have seen no sign of its breeding here. 



OpORORNIS FORMOSA, (Wils.) Bd. 



Kentucky Warhler. 



This bird is rather common in Southeastern Nebraska, especially in the Missouri Bot- 

 tom and along the Nemaha. As I was sitting at the edge of this stream in June, 1875, 

 near its mouth, where there are many bushes, I observed one of these birds at the 

 water's edge picking up some locusts that had jumped into the water. After it had taken 

 its till it flew to a neighboring bush and chirped. I afterward shot one, but found only 

 nine locusts in its throat, but a large number of insects, which appeared to me under 

 a microscope to be spiders. It breeds in this portion of the State. I found no nest, 

 but saw the young on several occasions. 



Geothlypis trichas, (linn.) Cab. 



Maryland Yelloiv-throat. 



Common in Nebraska and breeds here. I watched the old birds feed their young at the 

 edge of the timber and brush south of Dakota. City, in June, 1865, and along Salt Creek, 

 near Lincoln, in June, 1875. In both cases the old birds brought small locusts to their 

 young. To make sure of this I took one of the young from the nest and found eight 

 distinguishable small locusts in its stomach. 



Geothlypis Philadelphia, (Wils.) Bd. 



Mourning Warbler. 



Found in Eastern Nebraska, and breeds in at least the southeastern part of the State, 

 where I once saw the old birds feed the young that had left the nest, though the lat- 

 ter I never succeeded in finding. I never ascertained positively whether it fed on 

 locusts, but suppose that it does from the known characters of its congeners. 



Geothlypis macgillivrayi, (Aud.) Bd. 



MacgilUvray^s Warhler. 



Have only seen this variety in Western Nebraska, and am uncertain whetherit breeds 

 here. In the latter part of August, 1874, while wandering along the river with Mr. 

 D. W. Smith and Mr. Hungerford, I laad the pleasure of seeing this bird capture some 

 locusts that were flying at the time, while on the wing. This is my ohlj observation 

 on this bird in relation to the locusts. 



Icteria virens, (Linn.) Bd. 



Tellow-hreasted Chat. 



Found over the greater part of Nebraska, and breeding in at least the eastern part 

 of the State. In September, 1874, and September, 1876,1 observed them capture locusts 

 on the wing, and there can be no doubt that they destroy large numbers of them. 



I have not been able to distinguish between the type-species and var. longicauda, to 

 which Coues refers, and am not sure therefore which form I observed, but probably 

 the latter. 



Myiodioctes mitratus, (Gm.) Aud. 



Hooded Fly catching Warhler. 



Occurs in Southeastern Nebraska, where I observed it along the Nemaha River. 

 Here I, on several occasions in September, 1874, admired the quickness and skill with 

 which they captured locusts on the wing. Nothing appeared to me to be so adroit as 

 to see this flycatcher, with the apparent quickness of lightning, gobble up the locusts 

 that rose in the air. 



