[36] REPORT UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



CORVUS CRYPTOLEUCUS, Couch. 



White-necked Raven. 

 Only saw this bird once in Nebraska. Ifc was on the Republican River, near the 

 west line of the State, in April, 1877. I place it among locust-eating birds only be- 

 cause of the known habits of its congeners. 



CORVUS AMERICANUS, Aud. 



Common Crow. 

 In 1865, 1866, and 1867 vast numbers were poisoned in Northern Nebraska, where it 

 was then exceedingly abundant. All those that I opened that had been poisoned in 

 the spring of 1865 had their stomachs partly filled with locusts. In the two last years 

 insects of other species constituted the contents of their stomachs. I do not wish to 

 defend the crow, because he is known to destroy the eggs and young of other birds ; 

 but there is no question but that with the harm that he does he also destroys a vast 

 number of insects. His great fault is that he eats everything that he can get — what 

 is of value as well as what is harmful to the farmer. 



PiCICORVUS COLUMBIAXUS, (Wils.) Bp. 



Clarice's Crow; American JSfutcr acker. 

 Only found in the western part of the State. One that was sent to me from Sidney, 

 Nebr., in October, 1874, to identify, had 41 locusts in its stomach ; also some seeds of 

 the pine, a grain of corn, and a dozen of other grains. It is evidently omnivorous, 



Pica melanoleuga hudsonica, (Sab.) Coues. 

 American Magpie. 

 Occasional in Northern and more common in Western Nebraska. I have never suc- 

 ceeded in capturing one during locust years; but as it is omnivorous it no doubt in- 

 dulges in locusts when they can be obtained. The single one that I opened in July, 

 1887, in Dixon County, Nebraska, had its stomach half full of insects, among which 

 was one C. femur-rubrum. Owing to its propensity to destroy the eggs and young of 

 other birds, its increase is not desirable. 



Cyanurus cristatus, (Linn.) Sw. 

 Blue Jay. 

 Comparatively few in Nebraska; breeds here. In September, 1874, examined two 

 jays in Richardson County, Nebraska. Three-fourths of the contents of the stomachs 

 were locusts. One that was sent to me in September, 1876, from Nebra^ska City, had 

 45 locusts and some seeds in its stomach. It is evident from their known character as 

 omnivorous birds that when they can be obtained they will destroy great numbers 

 of locusts. They, too, have the bad reputation of destroying the eggs and young of 

 other birds, but to what extent I have not ascertained. It is doubtful, however, 

 whether they are a desirable bird for increase. Since writing the preceding, Hon. 

 J. Sterling Morton tells me that they are abundant in Otoe County, and do much harm 

 to other birds. 



Suborder CLAMATOEES. 



Family TYRANNID^ : American flycatchers. 

 Tyrajstnus carolinensis, Temm. 

 Kinghird; Bee-martin. 

 Abundant as far west as the middle of Nebraska, and occurs sparingly to the west 

 line of the State. These birds being highly, if not wholly, insectivorous, would nat- 

 urally be expected to eat locusts. No insect comes amiss to them. The following I 

 have examined : 



Locality. 



Date. 



.s 



« 





w^ 



§ 







a 





^o 



u 



fl 









o == 



^ 



t 



Hi 



^ 



O 





57 

 54 

 61 

 59 

 13 







3 









48 





53 



8 



1 



60 



1 





55 



2 







Dakota County, Nebraska 



...do 



do 



do 



Lancaster County, Nebraska. 



do 



do 



.do 



June — , 1866 

 July — , 1866 

 July — , 1867 

 Sept. — , 1869 

 Sept. — , 1874 



do 



May — , 1875 

 Sept. — , 1876 



