56 Wyoming BIrds. 



491. Nucifraga Columbians: 'Clarke's Nutcracker. 



Abundant resident in the mountains of the state. It ranges 

 from 8,000 feet to timber line and above. Almost its en- 

 tire food in Laramie Hills consists of the seeds of Pinus 

 scopulorum. 



492. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus: Pinon Jay. 



Apparently a fairly common resident over most of the 

 state. 



ICTERIDAE (Blackbirds, Orioles, Meadow Larks, etc.). 



This family includes birds which vary considerably in food and 

 nesting habits. In the main they are decidedly beneficial, but a few 

 must be considered injurious. 



The Bobolink, during the breeding season, consumes enormous 

 numbers of injurious insects. At other times its food consists prin.- 

 cipally of weed seeds. During the spring and fall migrations it 

 devastates rice fields and does great damage in the Southern states. 



The Meadow Lark is decidedly beneficial, and since it is one of 

 the most abundant birds of the plains, it is of great economic value. 

 For some reason it has increased wonderfully in numbers recently. 

 It feeds upon weed seeds and injurious insects (grasshoppers, May 

 beetles, cut worms, etc.). 



The various Blackbirds feed upon injurious insects, weed seeds, 

 and grain. Some Blackbirds become quite tame during the plowing 

 season. They follow the plow closely and pick up grub, cut worms, 

 and other insect larvae. As a rule they are beneficial, but some 

 species are condemned in part. 



The Orioles feed upon fruit to some extent, but mainly upon 

 injurious caterpillars. They are valuable birds. 



References : 



1. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1895. pp. 419-430. 



2. Biological Survey Bulletin No. 13. 



3. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1894, pp. 233-248. 



4. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1912, pp. 279-284. 



5. Year Book of Department of Agriculture, 1898, pp. 227-233. 



6. "Birds in Their Relation to Man," Weed and Dearborn, pp. 



156-167. 



