68 BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA AFFECTING FRUIT INDUSTRY. 
In this connection peculiar interest attaches to the contents of 20 
stomachs of the pygmy nuthatch from the pine woods of Pacific 
Grove, near Monterey, June 24 to July 13. Eighteen of these 
stomachs contained remains of Cercopide, and six were filled with 
them. The average for the 18 stomachs is a little more than 76 per- 
cent of all the food. They were not identified specifically, but 
undoubtedly are one of the several species known to feed upon the 
pine. Beetles of various families form about 12 percent of the food. 
There were many weevils, or snout-beetles, in the stomachs, and some 
coccinellids, which were the only useful insects found. They amount 
to 9.6 percent, which is the largest record for any bird yet examined, 
except the vireos; but as this percentage is based upon the examina- 
tion of so few stomachs, it can not be considered as wholly reliable. 
Caterpillars amount to 8 percent, and with a few spiders (1 percent) 
account for the rest of the animal food. 
Vegetable food—The vegetable portion is made up almost entirely 
of seeds, of which a majority are those of conifers, as was to be 
expected from the habits of the bird. 
Two other species of nuthatches, the slender-billed (Sitia ¢. 
aculeuta) and the red-breasted (Sittu canadensis) occur in California. 
A few stomachs of each have been examined and the contents found 
to agree substantially with the foregoing. 
SUMMARY. 
In conclusion, it may be said that, like other genera of the Paride, 
nuthatches are eminently useful birds. They do not prey upon culti- 
vated crops, cat but few useful insects, and probably are among our 
most efficient conservators of the forest and of the orchard. 
PLAIN TIT. 
(Baolophus inoruatis.) 
(Plate V.) 
The plain tit, like the rest of its family, is quiet and unobtrusive, 
attracting little notice by its voice and movemeuts, and probably 1s 
the most modestly dressed of them all. While 1t seems to prefer to 
lint on oaks, it does not neglect fruit trees, and often may be seen 
flitting about the orchard. 
The general character of its food is the same as that of other ea 
arboreal species. The relative proportions consumed, however, 
differ somewhat from those taken by other members of the family. 
The plain tit eats a greater proportion of vegetable food than any 
other titmouse so far as known, and, what is more remarkable, @ 
large part of this consists of the pulp of fruit. 
