SPECIES. 97 



FINCHES AND SPARROWS. 



One purple finch {Carpodacus iniriyureus) was collected (February 

 20, 1900) from a flock feeding on cedar berries. Examination revealed, 

 therefore, only remains of this fruit. 



Specimens of the red crossbill {Loxia curvirostra minor) and the 

 Avhite-winged crossbill {Loxia leucoptera) were collected at Marshall 

 Hall by Mr. O. N. Bryan, who presented them to the U. S. National 

 Museum. 



Eleven goldfinches {Astragalinus tristis) were collected. Insects 

 (caterpillars) had been eaten b}" only one, practically all the food con- 

 sisting of seeds, principally weed seeds. The goldfinch is probably 

 the most useful seed-eater on the farm. 



Several pine siskins {Spinus pinus) were seen December 1, 1901, 

 in company with goldfinches. 



The following native sparrows were noted: 



Vesper sparrow {Pocecetes gramineus). 



Savanna sparrow (Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna), 1. 



Grasshopper sparrow {Ammodramus savannarum passerinus) , 10. 



Henslow sparrow {Ammodramus hensloici) , 1. 



White-throated sparrow {Zonotrichia albicoUis), 17. 



Tree sparrow [Spizella moiiticola), 9. 



Chipping si)arrow {Spizella socialis), 61. 



Field sparrow {Spizella pusilla), 81. 



unco {Junco Jiyemalis), 11. 

 Song sparrow {Melospiza melodia), 36. 

 Lincohi sparrow {Melospiza Uncolni). 

 Fox sparrow {Passer ella iliaca). 



From May to September, inclusive, half the food of field, song, 

 chipping, and grasshopper sparrows consists of insects. The grass- 

 hopper sparrow is the most insectivorous of the four, but a descrip 

 tion of the insect food taken by it at Marshall Hall will serve, 

 because of similarity, to indicate that of the other three. The main 

 part was composed of beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. The 

 beetles included Sitones hisj)idulus, Drasterius^ Systena elongata^ 

 Systena hlanda^ Colaspis hriuuiea, Anisodactyhis, and Atsenius. 

 The caterpillars belonged chiefly to the family Noctuid^, including 

 many cutworms and army worms. Caterpillars of the family Geome- 

 trid8e were occasionally eaten. The grasshoppers were of the genera 

 XijyJiidiiim, Scudderia, Melanoplus^ IIipinscu8^ and Dissosteira. The 

 following bugs also had been eaten: Corizus^ TricJwpepla semivittata, 

 Ilymenarcys nervosa^ and Alydus jy^^osulus. Spiders were frequently 

 taken. 



The chipping and field sparrows sometimes destroy small numbers 

 of useful parasitic wasps, and the song sparrow now and then eats the 

 less beneficial smaller ground- beetles. The insectivorous habits of all 

 7222— No. 17—02 7 



