44 BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA AFFECTING FRUIT INDUSTRY. 



The young in One nest were fed 24 times in an hour. Owing to 

 the nest's location the number of nestlings was not ascertained. If 

 there were four, as is probable, and the feeding was continued fourteen 

 hours, each was fed 84 times during the day. 



SUMMARY. 



From the foregoing it is evident that neither the farmer nor the 

 fruit grower has anything to fear from the western flycatcher. Prac- 

 tically it eats no vegetable food, and its animal diet contains less 

 than the normal proportion of useful elements. It should be rigidly 

 protected at all seasons. 



OTHER FLYCATCHERS. 



Four or more other species of the genus Empidonax occur within 

 the limits of California. They are not so domestic as the one just 

 discussed, but their food habits are quite similar. One, E. trailli, is 

 locally quite abundant, but chooses the willows along water courses 

 for its home rather than the orchards. The others are less widely 

 distributed and therefore of less economic importance. A few stom- 

 achs of each species have been examined, but they indicate no remark- 

 able differences in food habits from those of the western flycatcher. 



HORNED LARK. 



(Otocoris alpestris chrysolsema, rubida, and other subspecies.) 



Not only in California, but in a considerable portion of temperate 

 North America, some form of the horned lark occurs wherever plain 

 or valley presents the condition suited to its peculiar needs. The 

 former generic name, EremopTiila, or desert lover, was peculiarly 

 appropriate, but unfortunately it was necessary to displace it. Bare, 

 level ground with scant herbage and no trees or shrubs appears to be 

 the ideal condition for the horned lark. While on the Pacific coast 

 they are not called upon to endure excessive cold, yet elsewhere they 

 endure low temperatures not only with indifference but with apparent 

 pleasure. The writer has met them on an open prairie when the 

 temperature was nearly 30 degrees below zero, and though a fierce gale 

 was blowing from the northwest they did not exhibit the least sign of 

 discomfort, but rose and flew against the wind, then circled around 

 and alighted on the highest and most windswept place they could 

 find. Probably they remain through the night in these bleak spots, 

 for they may frequently be seen there after sunset. Most animals 

 seek shelter from wind and cold, even though it be nothing but the 

 leeward side of a ridge or hummock, but the horned lark refuses to 

 do even this, and by preference alights on the top of the knoll where 



