8 
FOOD OF BIRDS. 
oul^ species which does not breed with us — eats corn and berries. A pe- 
culiar by ot habit which should be mentioned in connection with the food 
ot the species I have specially mentioned, is their preference for swampy, 
uncultivated places, and the vicinity ot water. To this statement the 
Cow bird and Crow Blackbird are an exception, being fouud everywhere. 
The Orioles are least graminivorous ot the family, and feed upon cater- 
pillars, beetles, bugs, grasshoppers and spiders. The Baltimore Oriole 
is particularly expert in his management of hairy caterpillars, dissecting 
them and discarding the hairy skiu with as much skill as he shows in 
weaving his pendant nest. In return for their watchful care over the gar - 
Ur m a ird orchard, the Orioles take their tithe, and usually as much more 
as they can get, of the first 
and finest small fruits. 
The Meadow lark is 
the most terrestrial ot the family, and feeds upon beetles, cut- worms, and 
O' her larva* in gr eat quantities, so long as they are to be had. A moder- 
ate amount of grass and other seeds completes his bill of fare. 
Family Corvidjg. Crows, Jays, etc. 
Corvus corax. Raven. Winter resident. Rare. 
Americans. Common Crow. Resident. Very common. 
Cyanurus cristatus. Blue Jay. Resident. Abundant. 
I.iis family is omnivorous. The Raven feeds upon shell-fish, eggs, rep- 
tiles, worms, grubs, fruits and grain. The Crow devours mice, moles, 
gruos, beetles, worms, caterpillars and other’ insects, and corn, for 
which latter article he has long suffered in reputation. The Blue Jay 
feeds upon eggs, young birds, insects and caterpillars, acorns, chestnuts, 
corn, and small fruits. 
Family Tyrannise. Flycatchers. 
Tyrannus Caroliuensis. King Bird. Bee Martin. Summer resident. Abuudaut. 
Myiarchus crinitus. Great-crested Flycatcher. Summer resident. Abundant. 
Sayornis fuse us. Pewee ; Pewit; Phoebe. Summer resident. Very common. 
Contopus borealis, Olive-sided Flycatcher. Migrant. Rare. 
virens. Wood Pewee. Summer resident. Abundant. 
Empidonax acadicus. Acadian Flycatcher. Summer resident. Very common. 
Traillii. Traill’s Flycatcher. Summer resident. Common. 
“ minimus. Least Flycatcher. Migrant. Veiy common. 
“ flaviventris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Migrant. Common. 
The food of this family consists almost entirely of winged insects, which 
they capture by short flights. The King Bird, and to a less degree the 
Pewee, affect open places. Others of the family are found in woodland 
and thickets. The larger species devour soft berries in the fall, and the 
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher sometimes feeds upon ants. 
Family Caprimulgid^e. Goatsuckers. 
Antrostomns vociferns. Whippoorwill ; Night Jar. Summer resident. Common. 
Chordeiles Virginiauus. Night-hawk. Summer resident. Common. 
