12 FOOD HABITS OF THE GROSBEAKS. 
which are furnished with formidable spines. This grass is a very vile 
weed of the southern fields and the orange groves of Florida.” 
The seeds of other grasses, including 
cockspur grass (Z'chinochloa crus-galli, 
fig. 2), crab grass (Syntherisma sangut- 
nalis), and allied species, which are 
well-known weeds, were fed upon by 31 
redbirds, vard grass (Hleusine indica) 
by 31, and unidentified grasses by 22. 
Seeds of the nearly related sedges 
(Carex et al.) were devoured by 41 car- 
rca roa Grom nals, those of vervians (Verbena 
Hillman, Nevada Experiment /astata, fig. 3, and JV. wrticefolia) by 
wanton 25. Twenty-two birds ate seeds of 
the well-known ragweeds (fig. 6), and 39 those of various spurges. 
Among the other weed seeds eaten in smaller quantities are those 
of dodder, a serious pest in grain crops; 
vetch, dock, sow thistle, plantains, includ- 
ing the detestable ribgrass (fig. 4); tum- 
bleweed (fig. 18), sunflower, violets, gera- 
niums, stargrass, spiny sida, corn grom- 
well (fig. 5), spiderwort (PI. IT, fig. 7), 
lamb’s-quarters, chickweed,  stick-tight, 
sorrel, button weed (PI. II, fig. 11), and 
stick-seed. To this list W. D. Doan adds Fic. 3.—Seeds of blue vervain 
fs é (Verbena  hastata). (From 
clover and partridge pea.t One plant in yinman, Nevada Experiment 
the above list, namely, buttonweed, is Station.) 
known also as alligator head in the South, where it is a bad weed in 
rice fields. It has been said that “as the seeds are about the color of 
the soil they are not easily seen and are not apt to be picked up by 
birds.” This is 
a mistake, 
however, for 
these seeds are 
devoured by 
many kinds of 
birds, and 
some, as the 
bobwhite, eat 
large numbers 
c 
Fic. 4.—Seeds of ribgrass (Plantago lanceolata). (From Hillman, of them. 
Nevada Experiment Station.) After plants 
have seeded it is impossible for man appreciably to diminish the 
number of seeds. But this work is the peculiar function of 
¢ eBull. 3, Agr. Exp. Sta., W. Va., 1888, p. 74. 
