314 LAND BIRDS 



"In April before pairing, hundreds used to frequent 

 daily the parade ground of Fort Randall, where, as the 

 grass was yet scarcely sprouted, good opportunity was 

 offered of observing their characteristic habit — one not 

 so generally known as it should be, since it is related to 

 the peculiar shape of. the bill. The birds may be seen 

 scattered all over the ground, busily tugging at some- 

 thing; and on walking over the scene of their opera- 

 tions, the ground, newly softened by the spring thaw, is 

 seen to be riddled with thousands of little holes, which 

 the birds make in search of food. The holes are quite 

 smooth, — not a turning over of the surface of the 

 ground, but clean borings like those made by sinking in 

 the end of a light walking stick, just as if the birds had 

 inserted their bills, and then worked them about till the 

 boles were of sufficient size. Whether they bored at 

 random or were guided by some sense in finding their 

 prey, and what particular object they were searching for, 

 I did not ascertain ; but the habit was so fixed and so 

 continually persevered in as to attract general attention." 



To this Major Bendire adds his opinion, based on. 

 close observation, that they were feeding upon the eggs 

 of the locust, which are deposited just below the surface 

 of the ground. 



504. SCOTT ORIOLK — Icterus parisorum. 

 Family : The Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. 



Length: 7.70-8.50. 



Adult Male : Uniform black, except white and yellow markings on wings 

 and tail, and bright yellow belly, shoulders, and posterior parts of 

 back ; the rump and upper tail-coverts, usually tinged with olive. 



