No. 20.] THE BIRDS OF CONNECTICUT. 3OI 



far been investigated, although it should be stated that examina- 

 tions of flycatchers and other birds now in course of completion 

 indicate that it will soon lose its position at the head of the list. 

 Caterpillars are apparently a favorite food. They form 17.6 

 per cent of the May food, and rise to 28.1 per cent in June, after 

 which they gradually decrease, averaging in the five months 13 

 per cent. Those eaten are mostly of the species known as cut- 

 worms, and include the well-known Nephelodes violans. Grass- 

 hoppers constitute 11. 5 per cent of the food, and are eaten prin- 

 cipally in June and July, when they amount to 23.2 and 25.8 per 

 cent respectively. This is unusual. There seems to be a pretty 

 general law that all birds, no matter what their food habits may 

 be during the rest of the year, eat grasshoppers in August, just 

 as the human race eats certain delicacies in their respective season. 

 But in August, when with most birds the grasshopper season 

 is at its height, the Bobolinks begin to drop their animal diet and 

 eat vegetable food in preparation for the rice season in the South. 

 Besides the insects already mentioned, a few bugs and flies are 

 eaten, and also some spiders and myriapods." (Beal, " Food of 

 Bobolinks, Blackbirds, and Crackles.") 



Of the vegetable matter weed-seeds and rice constitute the 

 largest portion. 



In the South the picture is different. " In the last half of 

 April it enters the United States just as the rice is sprouting in 

 southern rice fields, and at once begins to pull up and feed uix>n 

 the sprouted kernels." " It is estimated that the Bobolinks, with 

 a little help from the Redwings, cause an annual loss of 

 $2,000,000 to the rice growers of the South." " Capt. William 

 Miles Hazzard of Hannandale, S. C, says : ' During the nights 

 of August 2 1st, 22d, 23d, and 24th, millions of these birds make 

 their appearance and settle in the rice fields. From August 21st 

 to September 25tli our every effort is to save the crop. Men, 

 boys, and women are posted with g^uns and ammunition to every 

 four or five acres, and shoot daily an average of about one- 

 quarter of a lb. of gunpowder to the gun. This firing com- 

 mences at first dawn of day, and is kept up until sunset. After 

 all this expense and trouble our loss of rice per acre seldom falls 

 under five bushels ; and, if from any cause there is a check to the 

 crop during its growth which prevents the grain from being hard 



