MISCELLANEOUS ANIMAL FOOD. 
'-'7 
Kig. 9. 
-Tarnished plant bug I Lygua pratensit). 
Chittenden, Bureau <>t" Entomology. 
i From 
Among other insects, ants and wasps taken together are but little 
over one- half of I percent of the year's food. The beneficial species 
consumed were ichneumon flies, but they make up only 0.117 percent 
of the total food. Ant- at certain times arc eaten freely, especially 
by California larks. These insects are considered more injurious 
than beneficial. None of the 
other components of the animal 
food amounts to 1 percent of 
the food of the year. Spiders 
are obtained in every month. 
the greatest number being 
taken in May. Flies and 
their larvae are eaten whenever 
found, the greatest number in 
June. Dipterous larva-, which 
live in the brine of salt tanks 
on the Pacific coast, are among 
those eaten, 20 of these being found in one stomach. Thirty-three 
larvae of the common house fly were eaten at one meal by another 
bird. Termites or white ants were devoured by California larks in 
October, and the creatures known a- ant-lions (Myrmeleoriidse) were 
a part of the food in May, June, and July, most of these being 
eaten by Kansas horned larks. 
Miscellaneous Animal Food. 
Twenty-two birds had eaten animal matter which may be classed as 
miscellaneous. One had eaten three or four earthworms. Frag- 
ments of hundred-legs and thousand-legs were found in a few stomach-. 
A mite was found among some algae picked up by one of the birds. 
Several larks which were shot on beaches had 
gathered a few -mall periwinkles, but whether 
these were taken for food or a- an aid in grind- 
ing food i- a question. Bit- of oyster, mus- 
sel, and crab shell were probably taken for 
the latter purpose. One or two -nails also 
Were eaten. 
So far a- it- animal diet i- concerned, the 
horned lark is exceedingly beneficial. It con 
sumes more or less animal matter in every 
month of the year, and from May to August 
nearly one-half it> food is of animal nature, 
chiefly insects. These consist Largely ^\' spe- 
cies which if unchecked would soon render 
Feedingas it doeson the ground in the midst 
of the crop- which the insects threaten to destroy, the horned lark i- 
one of the mo-t efficient natural checks upon their numbers, and it is 
difficult to overestimate the value of the service thu- rendered. 
Fi... 10.— Chinch bug 
Bureau >>i" Entomology. 
agriculture impossible. 
