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 Jury 13. Eighteen of these 

 stomachs contained remains of Cercopidse, 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 sfomachs, 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 (Sitta c. 

 agideata) and the red-breasted (Sitta canadensis) occur in California. 

 A few stomachs of each have been examined and the contents found 

 to agree substantia lly with the foregoing. 



SUMMARY. 



In conclusion, it may be said that, like other genera of the Paridse, 

 nuthatches are eminently useful birds. They do not prey upon culti- 

 • vated crops, eat but few useful insects, and probably are among our 

 most efficient conservators of the forest and of the orchard. 



PLAIN TIT. 



{Baolophus inornatus.) 

 (Plate V.) 



The plain tit, like the rest of its family, is quiet and unobtrusive, 

 attracting little notice by its voice and movements, and probably is 

 the most modestly dressed of them all. While it seems to prefer to 

 hunt 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 small 

 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, a 

 large part of this consists of the pulp of fruit. 



