SPiECIES. 97 



FINCHES AND SPARROWS. 



One purple finch {Carpodaciis purpureus) was collected (February 

 20, 1900) from a flock feeding on cedar berries. Examination revealed, 

 therefore, only remains of this fruit. 



Specimens of the red crossbill {Loxia curvirostra minor) and the 

 white-winged crossbill {Lo,i:la leiwopte^^a) were collected at Marshall 

 Hall by Mr. O. N. Bryan, who presented them to the U. S. National 

 Museum. 



Eleven goldfinches {Astragalinus tristis) were collected. Insects 

 (caterpillars) had been eaten by only one, practically all the food con- 

 sisting of seeds, principally weed seeds. The goldfinch is probably 

 the most useful seed-eater on the farm. 



Several pine siskins {Spinu.s inmis) were seen December 1, 1901, 

 in company with goldfinches. 



The following native sparrows were noted: 



A'esper sparrow {Pocecetes gramineus). 

 Savanna sparrow (Ammodramns sandivichensis savanna), 1. 

 Grasshopper sparrow {Ammodramus savannarum passerinus), 10. 

 Henslow sparrow (Ammodramus hensloui), 1. 

 White-throated sparrow [Zonolrichia albicoUis), 17. 

 Tree sparrow {Spizella monticola), 9. 

 Chipping sparrow [SpizellO'Socialis), 61. 

 Field sparrow [Spizella pusilla), 31. 

 unco {Junco hyemalis), 11. 

 Song sparrow [Melospiza melodia), .36. 

 Lincoln sparrow {Melospiza lincolni). 

 Fox sparrow (PossereMa ifcca). 



From May to September, inclusive, half the food of field, song, 

 chipping, and grasshopper sparrows consists of insects. The grass- 

 hopper sparrow is the most insectivorous of the four, but a descrip- 

 tion of the insect food taken by it at Marshall Hall will serve, 

 because of similarity, to indicate that of the other three. The main 

 part was composed of beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. The 

 beetles included Sltonea hispidiilus, Drasterius, Systena elojujata, 

 Systena hlanda, Colaspis hrunnea, Anisodactylus, and Atsenius. 

 The caterpillars belonged chiefly to the family Noctuidce, including 

 many cutworms and army worms. Caterpillars of the family Geome- 

 tridse were occasionally eaten. The grasshoppers were of the genera 

 Xiphidium., Scudderia, Melanoplus, Ilippiscus, and Dissosteir'ci. The 

 following bugs also had been eaten: Corizus, Trichopepla semnimttata, 

 Tlymenarcys nervosa, and Alydus pilosidus. Spiders were frequently 

 taken. 



The .chipping and field sparrows sometimes destroy small numbers 

 of useful pai'asitic wasps, and the song sparrow now and then eats the 

 less beneficial smaller ground-beetles. The insectivorous habits of all 

 7222— No. 17—02 7 



