SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 9 



found in a number of stomachs and 4 contained the well-known 

 cotton-boll weevil (Anthon&mus grandis), an insect which for the last 

 10 years has threatened the whole cotton industry of the South. 

 The month of greatest beetle consumption is May, while June shows 

 the least, but as only 2 stomachs were taken in that month the 

 record is perhaps not reliable. Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) are 

 eaten to the extent of 12.81 per cent, which is the lowest record 

 but one for this item among the flycatchers. As a rule, Hymenoptera 

 constitute one of the most important elements of the flycatcher's 

 diet. As these insects, except the ants, are almost constantly on the 

 wing during daylight, they are peculiarly adapted to the flycatcher's 

 method of feeding. Those eaten by the scissortail are mostly of 

 the larger kinds, i. e., bees and wasps, with very few of the smaller 

 parasitic species. 



Hemiptera (bugs) amount to 10.17 per cent of the diet and were 

 found in 47 stomachs. At least 9 families were identified, but 

 Pentatomidse (stinkbugs) were the most abundant and were found 

 in 22 of the 47 stomachs. In 2 stomachs was identified that disa- 

 greeable pest the squash bug (Anasa tristis). This creature is not 

 classified by entomologists in the stinkbug family, but as far as dis- 

 gusting odor is concerned it is well qualified for that honor. As 

 is well known, it is a great pest upon squash vines and other cucurbi- 

 taceous plants. Most of the other bugs identified are harmful. 

 Diptera (flies) do not seem to appeal to this flycatcher as articles 

 of food. They were found in the stomachs taken in April, May, and 

 September only, and amount to but 3.80 per cent. Diptera occurred 

 in only 14 stomachs, in 8 of which they were identified as robber 

 flies (Asihdse), an insect which will be more fully discussed in rela- 

 tion to the kingbird. 



Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) are evidently the favorite 

 food of the scissortail. They were found in the stomachs of every 

 month, with a good percentage in all except April. The average 

 for the year is 46.07 per cent — the highest for any flycatcher. The 

 1 stomach taken in October contained 86 per cent of these insects, 

 but it is probable that the month of maximum consumption is July, 

 when they amount to over 65 per cent. As this bird is said to seldom 

 light upon the ground, it follows that these insects must be captured 

 when they take their short flight or jumps. Melanoplus femur- 

 rubrum was identified in 1 stomach and was probably contained 

 in many more but too badly broken for recognition. This is the 

 well-known red-legged grasshopper that often does great harm to 

 grass and grain crops. In general grasshoppers and crickets are 

 eaten to the greatest extent by the ground-feeding birds, such as 

 the meadowlark, while the flycatchers take the flying Hymenoptera. 

 In this case the rule seems to be reversed. Of the 129 stomachs 88 

 41895°— Bui. 44—12 2 



