ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIRDS TO THE STATE. 



37 



Least Flycatcher: Chebec (Empidonax minimus). — "Of twenty-three speci- 

 mens examined ten had eaten 30 beetles — among them 2 squash beetles (Diabrothca 

 vittata), a lady-bird and 2 weevils; four, 18 dipterous insects; one, 2 small heterop- 

 terous insects, equal in size to Chinch bug; four, 39 hymenopterous insects, 2 

 small ichneumon flies and 37 winged-ants ; two, 3 caterpillars ; one, a moth ; two, 

 4 small dragon-flies ; and one, a small spider." (King.) 



LARKS. Family Alaudidae. 



Horned Lark (Olocoris alpestris). — The Horned Larks, including this, the winter 

 visitant form and the Prairie Horned Lark (O. a. praticold), which breeds throughout 

 the central portion of the State, are of economic value as weed-seed eaters ; while 

 the latter also eats various species of insects. No detailed study of their food has 

 been published. 



CROWS and JAYS. Family Corvidae. 



To the members of this family are attributed numerous misdeeds, and although 

 much attention has been given to their food habits, their injurious habits are said to 

 be so nearly balanced by beneficial ones that it is difficult to determine which 

 outweighs the other. 



Crow {Corvus americanus). — " That he [the Crow] does pull up sprouting corn, 

 destroy chickens, and rob the nests of small birds has been repeatedly proved. Nor 

 are these all of his sins. He is known to eat frogs, toads, salamanders, and some 

 small snakes, all harmless creatures that do some good by eating insects. With so 

 many charges against him, it may be well to show why he should not be utterly 

 condemned. 



" The examination of a large number of stomachs, while confirming all the fore- 

 going accusations, has thrown upon the subject a light somewhat different from 

 that derived solely from field observation. It shows that the birds-nesting habit, 

 as in the case of the Jay, is not so universal as has been supposed ; and that, so far 

 from being a habitual nest robber, the Crow only occasionally indulges in that rep- 

 rehensible practice. The same is true in regard to destroying chickens, for he is 

 able to carry off none but the very young ones, and his opportunities for capturing 

 them are somewhat limited. Neither are many toads or frogs eaten, and as frogs 

 are of no great practical value, their destruction is not a serious matter; but toads 

 are very useful, and their consumption, so far as it goes, must be counted against 

 the Crow. Turtles, crayfishes, and snails, of which he eats quite a large number, 

 may be considered neutral, while mice may be counted to his credit. 



