Wyoming Birds. S3 



466. Empidonax trailli trailli: Traill's Flycatcher. 



There is but little additional information in regard to this 

 species. Jewett reports it as common in the vicinity of Star 

 Valley. Cary found it at Newcastle. Walker took speci- 

 mens at Green River when great numbers of small Ply- 

 catchers were about. Knight was evidently unable to secure 

 much more definite information. 



467. Empidonax minimus: Least Flycatcher. 



We have no recent record of this Flycatcher. Knight said : 

 "Summer resident, but there is very little data as to its 

 distribution and abundance." 



468. Empidonax hammondi: Hammond's Flycatcher. 



"Summer resident ; but little is known of its occurrence. 

 Coues reports one specimen taken at Pacific Springs ; Allen 

 reports this species from Fort Steele ; Jesurun has taken 

 one at Douglas. There are three Wyoming skins in the 

 Smithsonian collection. Nos. 38348 and 10880 were taken 

 at Fort Laramie, the latter skin by Dr. Cooper. No. 10868 

 was taken at Fort Bridger by Drewel." (Knight.) 



469. Empidonax wrighti: Wright's Flycatcher. 



"Summer resident; abundant." (Knight.) Our recent 

 records are by Metz, Peabody, and Lockwood. The small 

 Flycatchers are frequently a puzzle in the field and doubt- 

 less some of the more common ones have been given the 

 credit when it should have belonged to some other form. 



ALAUDIDAE (Larks). 



The Horned Larks are the most abundant birds of the plains re- 

 gions. During the winter months they feed almost exclusively 

 upon weed seeds. During the summer insects (caterpillars, beetle 

 larvae, June beetles, grasshoppers, etc.) constitute from 20 to 40 

 per cent of their food. It is their ability to consume large quan- 

 tities of weed seeds that make these birds of great economic value. 

 They also feed to some extent upon waste grain, but do not injure 

 growing crops nor grain in the shock. 



References : 



1. "The Horned Larks and Their Relation to Agriculture." 



Biological Survey Bulletin No. 23. 



2. Farmers' Bulletin No. 506, pp. 23-25. 



