88 BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA AFFECTING FRUIT INDUSTRY. 



berries were identified. In August and September the fruit eaten 

 was of the larger varieties, like apricots, peaches, and prunes. Later 

 in the year the wild kinds only were taken. The one stomach which 

 contained cherries was collected the last of May. If this bird were 

 as abundant as the linnet, it would do considerable damage to the 

 larger fruits. Under present conditions its depredations probably 

 pass unnoticed. 



Grain was eaten from June to December, inclusive, except in 

 November. The amount for the year is 4.7 percent. In August, the 

 month of greatest consumption, 16 percent was taken. It was found 

 in 17 stomachs, of which 10 contained oats; 3, wheat; 3, corn; and 

 1, barley. As most of this was gleaned after harvest, probably no 

 harm was done. 



Weed seed is a standard article of diet with this bird, as with 

 many others. It was found in 93 of the 139 stomachs, and 11 con- 

 tained nothing else. The average amount for the year is 34.6 per- 

 cent of the food, and it was found in every month except March; 

 but as only one bird was collected in that month, the exception is 

 probably accidental. January was the month when most was eaten, 

 62.8 percent, but as some other months stood nearly as high, this 

 has no special significance. Bur thistle seems to be the favorite 

 seed, although the towhee does not show so strong a preference for 

 any weed as some other species exhibit. 



Following is a list of species identified and the number of stomachs 

 in which each was found : , 



Tarweed ( Madia sativa) 10 



Bur thistle ( Centaurea melitensis) 27 



Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) 8 



Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) 1 



Senna ( Cassia sp. ) - 1 



Clover ( Trifolium sp. ) 1 



Legumes unidentified 3 



Turkey mullein (Eremocarpos setigerus) 2 



Poison oak (Rhus diversiloba) 11 



Sumac {Rhus sp.) , 1 



Alfilaria (Erodium cicutarium) 11 



Mustard (Brassica nigra) 1 



Miners' lettuce ( Montia perfoliata) 8 



Red maids ( Calandrinia menziesi) 2 



Rough pigweed (Amaranthus retrofiexus) 11 



Chickweed (Stellaria media) 8 



Knotweed (Polygonum sp.) - 4 



Sorrel (Rumex sp.) 5 



Wild oats (Avenafatua) 9 



Sedge (Carex sp.) ' 3 



Unidentified 34 



Another article of the towhee's food is mast. It is somewhat difficult 

 to distinguish between mast and weed seed when both are ground to a 

 pulp. As divided, however, mast amounts to 15.6 percent of the 



