32 BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA AFFECTING FRUIT INDUSTRY. 



In all, the nest was observed for eight and one-half hours and 119 

 feedings were noted, or an average of 14 feedings per hour. Both 

 parent birds took part in the feeding until the female was unfortu- 

 nately killed after the first hour of feeding on the morning of June 27. 

 It will be noted that during this early hour more feedings were ob- 

 served than at any other, and that at practically the same hour the 

 next morning, June 28, the male bird alone was able to feed only 16 

 times. However, the young did well, and left the nest that afternoon. 

 As the day was about fourteen hours long when the above notes were 

 taken, each of the young birds must have been fed about 49 times 

 every day, or 196 insects in all. It is safe to say that the parents 

 .would eat enough more to bring the total up to 250. Several nests 

 of this bird in an orchard would make quite a difference in the num- 

 ber of insects surviving to propagate the next year's supply. 



SUMMARY. 



From the foregoing it is evident that the ash-throat attacks no 

 product of husbandry, but keeps up an incessant war upon insects. 

 Of these it devours a vast number in the course of the year, mostly 

 harmful species. This bird likes to reside in the vicinity of houses, 

 gardens, and orchards. Let it be encouraged by all means. 



ARKANSAS KINGBIRD. 



(Tyr 'annus verticalis.) 



The Arkansas kingbird (PL II) inhabits the lower and warmer part 

 of the State, mainly as a summer resident. It is not so domestic as 

 its eastern relative, the common kingbird, and seems to prefer the 

 hill country, with scattering oaks, rather than the orchard or the 

 vicinity of towns or ranch buildings. 



For the investigation of the kingbird's food 78 stomachs were 

 available. Most of them were taken from March to July inclusive, 

 but a few in September, October, and December. The bird's yearly 

 food is made up of 87 percent of animal matter to 13 percent of 

 vegetable. 



Animal food. — The animal food is composed of insects and a few 

 bones of a batrachian (tree frog or salamander). Both the eastern 

 and western kingbirds have been accused of destroying honey bees 

 {Apis mellifera) to a harmful extent. It is said that the birds linger 

 about the hives and snap up the bees as they return home laden with 

 honey. Remains of honey bees were searched for with special care, 

 and were found to constitute 5 percent of the food. Thirty-one 

 individuals were discovered in 5 stomachs. Of these, 29 were drones, 

 or males, and 2 were workers. In 3 stomachs containing males there 

 was no other food, and when it is borne in mind that there are thou- 



