16 BULLETIN 1196, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
rows, together with the puparia.of the almost incredibly numerous 
alkali fhes (Zphydra). Formerly the eared grebe was killed by 
thousands by the plume hunters for the thick, satiny breast feathers. 
Fortunately for the continuance of the species, this is now pro- 
hibited. 
FOOD. 
For a survey of the food of the eared grebe 27 stomachs were 
available from many localities in the Western States. In this series 
three months—January, February, and August—were not repre- 
sented. Vegetable matter had been taken by two birds, but was pres- 
ent in such small quantity that it did not figure in the percentages. 
Animal food may therefore be considered as making up 100 per 
cent, disregarding, as in the other species of grebes treated, the pres- 
ence of feathers. In one case the vegetable matter consisted of a 
seed of a Polygonum, and in the other of matter that may be classed 
only as vegetable rubbish. Feathers were present in less quantity 
than in the stomachs of the other species of grebes examined, as this 
item amounted to only 27 per cent. 
In only 5 of the 27 stomachs examined were remains of fishes en- 
countered, or in less than one-fifth of the total. One bird killed 
near Portland, Oreg., had eaten a small sculpin (family Cottidae), 
while in four others the fish remains were identified merely as those 
of small bony fishes. These amount to only 9.8 per cent of the total 
food. 
The insect food of the eared grebe was abundant and varied. 
Heteroptera alone amounted to 40 per cent, and had been eaten by 
13 of the birds examined. Except for one bug of the family Redu- 
viidae, these were all aquatic species. Water boatmen (Corixidae) 
were most abundant and had been taken by 11 birds, in one of which — 
they totaled more than 1,300 individuals. Among other forms water 
bugs (Lelostoma) and back-swimmers (Votonecta) were taken. 
Dragonflies and damselflies were eaten by 8 birds and amounted 
to 19.5 per cent. They consisted mainly of nymphs. Beetles, mainly 
water-dwelling forms, were eaten by 12 birds and amounted to 14.3 
per cent of the total. The crawling water beetles (Haliplidae), 
though of small size were well represented, as 3 species were defi- 
nitely identified. Following these come many predacious diving- 
beetles (Dytiscidae) and water scavenger-beetles (Hydrophilidae). 
Rove beetles (in one case Philonthus fusiformis) and click beetles 
(Elateridae) also were taken. Leaf beetles (among them Myochrous 
squamosus, M. longulus, and a Diabrotica) were found 4 times 
and weevils 4 times. Larval forms of beetles as well as adults were — 
encountered frequently. Larvae of ground beetles (Carabidae) were 
taken once, the immature forms of predacious diving beetles 4 times, 
and larvae of water scavenger beetles once. Miscellaneous insects of 
other groups amounted to 10.9 per cent. Caddisfly larvae were - 
found in two stomachs and a grasshopper in one. Caterpillars of a 
moth (Pyralidae) were eaten twice, and remains of other Lepidop- 
tera were found twice, as also were remains of Diptera and Hymen- 
optera. Miscellaneous animal matter, taken by 9 birds and amount- 
ing to 5.5 per cent, completes the tale of food in the material 
examined. In this material were found a centipede, 2 spiders, an 
