Introduction.
The observations on which this paper is based were made
during' the summer session, 1911, of tile Iowa Lakeside Lab-
oratory, o.n Lake Okoboji, Iowa. The plan followed was that
first successtidy employed by Prof. F. H. Ilerrick, namely, of
erecting a blind at the nest and studying the birds at close
range. The aim of the work was to record the feeding ac-
tivity for several consecutive days, particularly from the eco-
nomic standpoint,
The problem was suggested by Prof. T. C. Stephens, of
Morning'side College, to whom I wish to express my grati-
tude for rn,ch h.elp and many valuable suggestions in carry-
ing on the xv,Mc and in preparing this report. I also. vish to
thank Prof. T. ][. Macllride for the opportunity of attending
this session of the Laboratory. The plan could not have been
carried out without the help given by tile workers in the
Labo. ratory, and to the folloving persons particularly my
thanks are due for assistance in carrying out the study: Miss
Hocbstetler, Miss Mae Gittens, Miss Gladys Price, Miss Mil-
dred Sykes, Miss Idylene Tovey, Miss tlarriet Wilson, Miss
Alice Yocum, aud Mr. A. H. Schatz. My thanks are clue
Miss Pearl A. Vo.odford, of Morningside College, for help
in preparing this paper.
66 Tnl*; ?ILSON BULLETIN--NO. q9.
The blind used was very simple and one easily made. It
xvas constructed of a sign umbrella held in position by three
guy ropes. The wall of muslin dyed grey was in one piece
and was fastened over the ends of the umbrella ribs by a
draw string. The bottom was staked down an4 the blind
was ready for use. Figure 1 is a photograph of the blind as
it appeared at the thrasher nest.
The nest chosen for study was that of a Brown Thrasher
(7'o,'ostoa rufum). It was built on the gro.und, which is
rather an unusual nesting site for this species. The grass
had been quite long, but had b.een cut, leaving the nest in a
very exposed position. When first discovered on June 1, it
contained four young, not more than twenty-fo'ur hours old,
and one addled egg. The blind was placed in position on
the morning o.f the' g3d. Within an hour the parent birds had
become completely reconciled to its presence and were using
the guy ropes for a perch. Soon after the study was com-
menced it was noticed that one of he birds had a conspicuous
white spot on the back of the head and, after watching an
hour or two, it was decided that this bird was the female.
This white mark furnished a sure means of determining the
sex of the parent feeding. It is visible in figure g and 3.
'IABLI I.
The data in Table I is simply a eondensed form of the teeorals
of feeding as they were taken in the blind. The first eolumn eon-
rains the number of the feeding (all the feedings from the fir.st
to the last day of observation are numbered eonseeutively). The
second eolumn eontains he sex of the parent feeding; th.e third the
time of day; the fourth the eharaeter and amount of food; the
fifth the nestling reeeiving the food; nd the last one the data
on sanitation.
Data for June 25, 1911. From 12:45 to 5:45 p.m.
No. Sex. Time. l'ood. Young fed. Exereta.
1. m 12:45 4 white moths, 2 small Insects.
2. f 12:48 Did not feed.
3. m 12:[0 1 grasshopper.
4. f 12:4 2 grasshoppers.
[. f 12:[[ 1 grasshopper.
6. m 12:[0 I grasshopper, several (2) devoured.
crickets.
? f 1:06 1 mayfly, white moths.
HoE LFE OF THE ]ROWN THRASHER. 07
No. Sex. Time. Food. Young fed.
8. f 1:25 1 maybeetle.
9. f 1:48 I grasshopper.
10. m 1:49 2 unknown bugs.
11. f 1:53 I grasshoppcr.
12. f 1:55 i white moth.
13. m 1:56 3 white moths.
14. f 2:00 1 maybeetle.
15. f 2:10 2 white moths, 1 grey moth.
16. f 2:23 1 green svorm.
17. f 2:26 2 grasshoppers.
18. m 2:30 2 grasshoppers.
J9. m 2:34 1 unkaolvu.
20. f 2:34 1 cutworm.
21. m 2:45 3 green worms.
22. m 2:55 1 cntworm, 1 grasshopper.
23. f 3:10 1 white moth, 1 larva.
24. f 3:16 1 cutworm.
25. m 3:21 1 grasshopper.
26. m 3:25 i dragonfly.
27. m 3:35 I cutworm, i white moth.
28. f 3:36 I butterfly.
29. m 3:40 3 white moths, I grasshopper.
30. m 3:48 I brown larva.
31. f 3:50 I centipede.
32. f 3:53 I cutworm.
33. f 4:04 I grasshopper.
34. f 4:10 I cutworm.
35. f 4:15 3 green worms, 1 cutwomb 1
fly.
36. m 4:19 I centipede, I cutworm.
37. f 4:25 I large green worln.
38. f 4:30 I mayfly.
39. m 4:31 I large brown moth.
40. f 4:32 I large white moth, I cut-
worm.
41. f 4:38 2 grasshoppers, 1 moth.
42. In 4:45 1 large brown moth.
43. m 4:47 4 grasshoppers.
44. f 4:48 1 mayfly.
45. f 4:55 2 mayflies.
46. m 4:58 1 cutworm, 1 spider.
47. m 5:05 2 grasshoppers.
48. m 5:10 1 grasshopper.
49. f 5:11 I beetle.
50. f 5:13 2 grasshoppers.
51. m 5:5 1 mayfly, 1 moth.
52. f 5:19 2 grasshoppers.
53. m 5:19 i spider.
54. f 5:22 1 grasshopper.
55. m 5:23 2 moths.
56. f 5:35 1 grasshopper, 1 cutworm, 1
unknown.
57. m 5:40 1 grasshopper.
58. f 5:42 1 cutworm.
Excreta.
devoured.
devoured.
devoured.
devoured.
devoured.
devoured.
devoured.
devoured.
de3/4om'ed.
devoured.
68 TrE WrsoN BULLF. TxN--No. 79.
Data for June 24, 1911. From 12:45 to 6:00 p.m.
No. Sex. Time. Food. Young fed. Excreta.
59. f 12:50 3 grasshoppers.
60. f 12:58 2 white laoths.
61. m 1:01 grasshopper.
62. m 1:09 2 may flies.
63. f 1:10 2 clltwornls. devoured.
64. m 1:13 I grasshopper.
65. f 1:28 2 mayflies.
66. m 1:49 1 grasshopper.
67. f 1:52 I grasshopper, I mayfly.
68. f 1:55 I grasshopper.
69. m 1:56 2 green worms.
70. f 1:57 I grasshopper.
71. f 2:04 1 cutworm.
72. f 2:05 I mayfly.
73. f 2:07 2 beetles.
74. m 2:43 1 mayfly, I grasshopper, 1
green worl/l.
75. f 2:16 I grasshopper.
76. m 2:19 1 beetle. devoured.
77. m 2:24 I grasshoppe3/4.
78. f 2:29 1 grasshopper.
79. f 2:30 1 inayfiy.
80. f 2:32 I beetle.
81. f 2:34 1 grasshopper.
82. m 2:35 2 mayflies.
83. m 2:38 1 grasshopper. devoured.
84. f 2:41 I grasshopper.
85. f 2:43 I mayfly.
86. f 2:45 2 grasshoppers.
87. f 2:55 2 white moths.
88. m 2:55 ' 1 grasshopper.
89. f 2:56 1 grasshopper.
90. f 3:04 2 grasshoppers. carried away.
91. f 3:12 1 unknown worm.
92. f 3:13 2 white moths.
93. f 3:15 2 mayflies, 1 cutworm.
94. f 3:28 2 grasshoppers.
95. m 3:32 1 mayfly, I grasshopper. devoured.
96. m 4:03 2 vhite moths.
97. f 4:03 I grasshopper, I green worm.
98. f 4:07 1 grasshopper. devoured
99. f 4:17 2 grasshoppers.
100. f 4:18 1 white moth.
10l. f 4:22 2 mayflies.
102. f 4:25 I mayfly, I beetle. . devoured.
103. m 4:26 I grasshopper. earl'let1 away.
104. f 4:30 1 mayfly.
105. m 4:36 1 inayfiy, 1 grasshopper.
106. m 4:47 1 mayfly.
107. m 4:54 2 mayflies.
108 m 5:00 1 grasshopper.
109. œ 5:00 2 grasshoppers.
-[051E LIFE OF THE BROWN THRASHER. 69
No. Sex. Time. Food. Young fed.
110. m 5:01 2 may flies.
111. m 5:02 1 mayfly,.
112. f 5:07 i mayfly, i cutworm, i grass-
hopper.
113. m 5:09 1 grasshopper.
114. f 5:10 1 white moth.
115. m 5:11 i mayfly.
116. m 5:13 1 green worm.
117. f 5:19 i white moth.
118. m 5:26 I grasshopper, I beetle, 1
white moth, i worm.
119. f 5:26 2 grasshoppers.
120. m 5:32 1 grasshopper.
121. f 5:35 1 fly.
122. m 5:36 1 worm.
123. f 5:41 1 white moth, 1 spider.
124. m 5:42 I earthworm.
125. f 5:46 1 grassshopper.
1.26. f 5:55 1 spider.
Data for June 26, 1911.
127. m 12:55 3 mayflies.
128. f 12:58 1 grasshopper.
129. m 1:03 1 grasshopper.
130. f 1:03 i grasshopper.
31. m 1:05 grasshopper.
132. f 1:07 1 grasshopper.
133. m 1:07 1 grasshopper.
134. m 1:16 1 grasshopper.
135. f 1:16 1 grasshopper.
136. m 1:24 1 grasshopper.
187. f 1:28 i grasshopper.
138. m 1:33 1 mayfly.
139. m 1:41 i grasshopper.
140. m :44 1 cutworm.
141. m 1:49 1 black butterfly.
142. f 1:56 1 grasshopper.
143. m 2:06 1 grasshopper.
144. m 2:07 1 grasshopper.
145. m 2:12 1 grasshopper.
146. f 2:13 i grasshopper.
147. f 2:17 1 grasshopper.
148. f 2:19 1 fly.
149. m 2:21 1 grasshopper.
150. m 2:31 i grasshopper.
151. f 2:34 1 moth.
152. m 2:35 1 grasshopper.
153. f 2:37 1 grasshopper.
154. f 2:42 1 grasshopper.
155. m 2:43 I grasshopper.
156. f 2:49 i grasshopper.
157. f 2:55 1 fly larva.
158. m 3:02 1 grasshopper.
159. m 3:22 i grasshopper.
From 12:45 to 8:40 p.m.
Orange.
Blue.
Excreta.
devoured.
carried away.
carried away.
carried away.
carried away.
carried away.
carried away.
carried away.
carried away.
70 THE WILSON ]BULLETIN--NO. 79.
No. Sex. Time.
160. f 3:25
161. f 3:37
162. m 3:39
163. m 3:51
164. f 4:09
165. m 4:11
166. f 4:13
167. m 4:35
168. m 4:45
169. f 4:45
170. m 4:50
171. f 4:54
172. m 4:56
173. f 4:56
174. f 5:00
175. m 5:02
176. f 5:10
177. m 5:15
178. m 5:20
179. f 5:20
180. f 5:21
181. f 5:23
182. f 5:35
183. f 5:39
184. m 5:41
185. f 5:44
186. m 5:48
187. f 5:49
188. f 5:52
189. m 5:52
190. f 5:55
191. m 6:00
192. f 6:04
193. m 6:11
194. f 6:15
195. f 6:18
196. f 6:28
197. f 6:35
]98. f 6:38
199. m 6:48
200. m 6:52
201. m 6:57
202. f 6:57
203. m 6:59
204. f 7:02
205. f 7:05
206. f 7:08
207. f 7:11
208. f 7:]2
209. f 7:14
210. m 7:15
211. f 7:15
212. m 7:20
Food. Young fed. Excreta.
grasshopper. carried away.
grasshopper. Blue. carried away.
grasshopper. Orange. carried away.
larva. White.
moth. White.
earthworm. Grccn.
mayflies. Green. carried away.
cutworm. Green. carried avay.
cutworm. Green. carried away.
dragonfly. Blue.
spider. White.
mayflies. White. carried away.
cutworm. White.
cutworm. Orange. carried away.
mayfiles. 0. 2, G. 1.
cutworm. Green.
mayflies. O. 2, G. 1.
cutworm. Orange.
cutworm. Orange. carried away.
unknown. Green.
white worm. Green. froin Green.
cutworm. White.
large caterpiller, 1 maybee- Grccn.
tle, 2 mayflies.
mayflies. V. 2, B. 1.
grasshopper. Bhm. from Orange.
mayflies. Orange.
cutworm. Blue. from Green.
mayfly. Blue.
larva. Orange.
mayflies. Bluc.
larva. Green.
cutworm. Orange. taken from Orange.
cutworm. Greeu.
cutxvorm. Blue.
mayflies. Blue.
mayflies, 1 earthworm. 53/4hitc. from White.
mayflies. White.
cutworm. Blue.
mayflies. Blue.
beetle. Blue.
mayfly. White. from White.
mayfly. White.
beetle, I grasshopper. Orange.
mayflies. Blue. from Green.
mayfly. Blue.
mayflies. White.
mayfiles. W. 1, B. 1.
cutworm. White.
cutworm. White.
grasshoppers. G. 1, B. 1.
cutworm. White. from White.
earthworm. Green. from Green.
cutworm. Orange. from Orange.
-IOME LIFE OF THE BROWN THRASHER.
71
NO.
213.
214.
215.
216.
217.
218.
219.
220.
221.
222.
223.
224.
225.
226.
227.
228.
229.
230.
231.
232.
233. --
234. f
235. f
236. f
237. m
238. f
239. m
240. f
241. m
242. f
243. m
244. f
245. f
246. m
247. f
248. f
249. f
250. f
251. f
252. m
253. f
254. m
255. f
256. f
257. --
258. f
259. f
* The
Sex. Time. Food. Young fed. Excreta.
f 7:23 1 maybeetle. Green. from Green.
m 7:26 1 grasshopper. Green.
f 7:30 I dragonfly, I mayfly. Green.
f 7:36 1 maybeetle. Blue.
f 7:38 1 maybeetle. Blue.
f 7:42 1 larva. Blue. from Green, eaten.
f 7:44 1 spider. Green.
f 7:45 I dragonfly. Orange. from Orange
f 7:46 I moth. White. from White.
m 7:50 1 cutworm. Orange.
f 7:52 3 mayflies. White.
m 7:52 2 worms. V. 1, B. 1.
m 7:54 1 cutworm. White.
f 7:56 I mayfly. White.
I moth. Blue.
f 7:56 1 mayfly. Blue.
f 8:10 I mayfly. Blue. from Green.
f 8:'14 unknown insect. Green.
m 8:26 1 maybeetle. Orange. from Orange.
m 8:28 1 unknown insect. Green. from Green.
m 8:35 1 grasshopper. Green.
Data for June 27, 1911. From 3:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
4:12 I grasshopper.
4:16 1 cutworm.
4:22 3 mayflies.
4:28 3 x * mayflies. Blue. from Blue.
4:30 1 mayfly. 53/4hite. from White.
4:33 3 mayflies. 0. 2, G. 1. from Orange.
4:33 2 may flies. Orange.
4:34 2 mayflies, I fly. White.
4:34 1 beetle. Green.
4:36 1 mayfly, I larva. White.
4:37 2 g['asshoppers. Green.
4:39 1 unknown. Blue.
4:43 1 worm. Orange.
I raisin. Green.
4:44 2 grasshoppers. Orange.
4:46 3 may flies. Orange.
4:54 2 raisins. Blue.
5:00 3 mayflies. Orange.
5:21 2 mayflies. White.
5:30 1 cutworm. White.
5:35 1 cutworm, 1 mayfly. Blue. from Blue.
5:38 1 mayfly. Green.
I moth. White.
5:40 1 cutworm. Blue.
5:50 2 moths. Green.
5:52 1 earthworm. Green.
5:55 1 dragonfly, 1 spider. White.
6:00 1 dragonfly. Green. from Green.
6:06 2 may flies. Green.
letter x is here used in place of the plus mark.
gg TiiF WILSON BULLETIN--IO. 9.
No. Sex. Time.
260. f 6:08
261. f 6:11
262. f 6:13
263. f 6:15
264. f 6:18
265. f 6:20
266. f 6:28
267. m 6:29
268. f 6:30
269. m 6:31
270. f 6:31
271. f 6:36
272. f 6:40
273. m 6:41
274. m 6:43
275. f 6:43
276. m 6:45
277. f 6:48
278. f 6:49
279. f 6:53
280. f 6:55
28;L f 6:58
282. m 7:07
283. f 7:]6
284. m 7:16
285. f 7:20
286. m 7:35
287. f 7:35
288. f 7:38
289. m 7:40
290. f 7:41
291. m 7:42
292. f 7:44
293. m 7:48
294. f 7:50
295. m 7:56
296. f 8:03
297. f 8:06
298. m 8:08
299. f 8:12
300. f 8:14
301. f 8:15
302. m 8:16
303. f 8:21
304. f 8:24
305. f 8:26
306. f 8:27
307. m 8:34
308. f 8:35
Food. Young fed. Excreta.
moth. White. from White.
earthworm. Green.
cutworm. White.
dragonfly. Orange.
cutworm. Green.
moth, 1 grasshopper. Blue.
unknown bug. Orange. from Orange.
moth. Green.
mayflies, 2 moths. White.
cutworm. Orange.
raisins. O. 1, G. 1.
cutworm, I moth. White.
mot. White.
grasshopper. White.
mayfly. Blue. from Blue.
beetle. White.
beetle. White.
2 mayflies. Green.
I butterfly. Orange.
2 dragonflies. White.
1 maybeetle. White.
1 grasshopper. Green. from Green.
I flying ant. Blue.
1 cutworm. White.
1 grasshopper, 1 spider. Blue.
1 moth. White.
I unknown. White.
1 cutworm. White.
1 moth. Blue.
1 ctworm. White.
1 mayfly. Blue.
2 moths. G. 1, O. 1.
1 moth. Orange. from Or:lnge eaten.
2 unknown insects. Green.
1 cutworm. Green.
unknown. Blue. from Blue.
1 grasshopper. Green. from Green.
1 moth. White.
2 mayflies. Blue.
1 cutworm. White. from White.
1 dragonfly. Blue.
I grasshopper. Orange.
1 dragonfly. Green.
I moth, 1 grasshopper. rhite.
2 moths. Blue.
1 grasshopper. Blue.
1 grasshopper, 1 moth. Blue.
1 ant, 1 worm. Orange.
2 moths. Green.
1 moth. Blue.
3 moths. O, 2. G. 1.
2 moths. I. 1, G. 1.
1 cutworm. Green. froin Blue
1 mayfly, 1 moth. Blue.
'HOME LIFE OF THE BROWN THRASHER.
No. Sex. Time.
309. m 8:35
310. f 8:40
311. m 8:44
312. f 8:46
313. f 8:48
134. m 8:51
315. f 8:54
316. œ 8:58
317. f 9:09
318. m 9:10
319. f 9:12
320. f 9:15
321. m 9:16
322. œ 9:16
323. f 9:17
324. m 9:23
325. œ 9:27
326. m 9:29
327. f 9:30
328. m 9:32
329. f 9:32
330. f 9:34
331. m 9:35
332. m 9:37
333. œ 9:38
334. f 9:39
335. f 9:40
336. œ 9:45
337. m 9:49
338. f 9:50
339. f 9:54
340. œ 9:57
341. f 10:01
342. f 10:03
343. m 10:15
344. f 10:1(;
345. m 10:16
346. m 10:18
347. œ 10:21
348. œ 10:24
349. m 10:26
350. f 10:30
351. m 10:30
352. f 10:31
353. m 10:33
354. f 10:35
355. f 10:39
* The letter
Food.
2 may flies.
1 mayfly, 1 moth.
I nnknown insect.
2 moths.
I mayfly.
I dragonfly.
2 moths.
I cut,orm.
I moth.
I grasshopper.
2 moths.
1 mayfiy,l dansel fly.
nnknown.
1 moth.
I nmyfly, 2 moths.
2 cutworms.
1 wire worm, 1 moth.
1 caterpiller.
I grasshopper, I mayfly.
1 unknown insect.
I moth, 1 worm.
1 raisin.
2 cutworms.
3 x * moths.
71. wire worm, 2 moths.
1 grasshopper.
I moth.
I cutworm.
2 mayflies.
4 x * nmyfiies.
I cut worm.
1 beetle.
1 dragonfly, I moth.
3 x * moths.
I moth.
I moth.
I moth, 1 hectle.
I moth, 3 mayflies.
1 wire worm, 1 moth, I eut-
worln.
5 x * may flies.
I wire lyetin.
I cutworm.
2 moths.
unknown.
I moth.
2 moths.
I moth.
J raisin.
I moth, I beetle.
I heetle.
I moth.
x is here used in place of the
Young fed. Exereta.
W. 1, G. 1.
Blue.
Orange.
G. 1, W. 1. from White.
Orange.
Green.
o. 1, G. 1.
Blue.
White.
Orange.
White.
White. from White.
Orange.
Blue.
Blue.
Orange.
White.
Orange.
Blue.
Green.
Green.
Blue.
Orange.
Green.
White.
Bhle.
White.
White. from White eaten.
Green.
Green.
White.
Orange.
Orange.
Green.
Blue.
Green.
Green. froill Green eaten.
White.
Green.
B. 3. G. 2.
White.
Orange.
Green.
5Vhite.
White.
Green.
Orange.
Orange.
Green.
White.
Green.
froin 0range.
from White eaten.
from Orange.
plus mark.
75 ThE WILSON BULLETIN--No. 79.
No. Sex.
356. m
357. f
358. m
359.
360. f
361. f
362. f
363. m
364. f
365. f
366. f
367. m
368. f
369. m
370. f
371. m
372. m
373. f
374. m
375. f
376. f
377. m
378. f
379. n
380. f
381. f
382. m
383. f
384. n
385. f
386.
387. m
388. f
389. m
390. f
391. f
392. m
393. f
394. m
395.
396. f
397. n
398. f
399. m
400. œ
401. m
402. f
403. f
404. m
405. f
406. n
407. f
408. f
Time. Food.
10:42 1 grasshopper.
10:43 1 grasshopper.
1 mayfly.
10:45 I moth.
10:50 3 moths.
10:53 3 moths.
10:56 1 grasshopper.
11:00 2 grasshoppers.
11:03 1 cutworm.
11:05 3 moths.
11:13 1 mayfly.
11:17 1 cutworm.
11:17 1 cutworm.
11:20 1 grasshopper.
11:22 1 grasshopper.
11:23 1. moth.
11:25 2 grasshoppers.
11:35 1 grasshopper.
11;36 3 moths.
11:37 I moth.
11:38 1 cutworm.
11:48 1 mayfly.
11:49 1 mayfly.
11:50 I moth.
11:55 I grasshopper.
11:56 2 grasshoppers, I moth.
12:06 1 cutworm, I moth.
12:07 I cutworm, 1 moth.
12:12 1 mayfly.
12:17 2 moths.
12:20 1 mayfly, 1 moth.
12:25 2 grasshoppers.
12:26 1 larva.
12:27 1 cutworm.
12:28 2 green worms.
12:32 1 grasshopper.
2:33 1 grasshopper.
12:36 2 moths.
12:43 1 mayfly.
12:46 1 cricket.
12:51 1 grasshopper.
1:06 2 moths.
1:06 I cutworm.
1:07 1 raisin.
1:08 1 grasshopper.
1:09 1 moth.
1:17 1 maybeetle.
1:20 1 grasshopper.
1:22 3 moths.
1:22 2 moths.
1:26 1 beetle, 3 x black ants.
1:34 1 grasshopper.
1:34 2 mayflies.
1:50 1 cutworm.
Young fed. Excreta.
Orange.
Grccn.
White.
White.
Green.
G. 1, V. 1, O. 1.
Blue.
White. from White.
Orange.
Green. from Green.
White.
Orange.
Green.
Green.
Orange.
Green.
Green.
G. 2, B. 1.
White.
White.
Orange.
Orange. frmn Orange.
Green.
Green. from Green.
Blne.
White. from White.
White.
Green.
Orange.
Green.
Green.
Green.
Orange.
Blue.
White.
White.
Blue.
Orange.
Blue.
Orange.
Orange.
Orange.
White.
Green.
White.
Orange.
Blue.
O. 2, 1 escaped.
Ornnge.
Orange.
Green. from Green.
Orange.
Orange. from Orange.
HOME LrFE OF Tt-IE BROWN THRASHER. 75
No. Sex. Time.
409. f 1:52
410. f 1:54
411. m 1:55
412. m 1:58
413. f 1:59
414. f 2:00
415. m 2:07
416. f 2:14
417. f 2:16
418. f 2:17
419. f 2:21
420. f 2:22
421. f 2:24
422. f 2:26
423. f 2:28
424. f 2:30
425. m 2:31
426. f 2:32
427. f 2:35
428. m 2:36
429. m 2:44
430. f 2:46
431. m 2:46
432. m 2:50
433. f 2:52
434. f 3:00
435. f 3:03
436. m 3:08
437. f 3:09
438. f 3:10
439. f 3:11
440. f 3:16
441. m 3:20
442. f 3:22
443. m 3:31
444. f 3:32
445. m 3:36
446. f 3:39
447. f 3:41
448. m 3:41
449. f 3:44
450. f 3:46
451. m 3:48
452. m 3:51
453. m 3:52
454. f 3:57
455. f 3:59
456. f 4:04
457. m 4:06
458. f 4:06
459. f 4:14
460. m 4:17
Food. Young fed. Excreta.
2 moths. Blue. from Bhle.
1 moth, 1 dragonfly. ,Vhite. from White.
1 grasshopper. Blue.
1 cutworm. Orange.
1 moth. Green.
I grasshopper. Green.
I grasshopper. White.
1 mayfly. Orange.
3 grasshoppers. B. 1, G. 2. from Green.
I grasshopper. Blue.
1 moth. White.
2 unknown bugs. 5Vhite.
1 grasshopper. Green.
I grasshopper. White.
I grasshopper. Orange. from Orange.
1 moth. White.
I grasshopper. Orange.
unknown. White.
1 moth, 1 earthworm. Green.
1 ant. Blue.
I grasshopper. Green.
1 cutworm, Blue.
2 unknown insects. Wqitc.
1 grasshopper. Blue.
1 grasshopper. Orange.
2 grasshoppers. 5Vhit e.
1 grasshopper. White.
1 moth. Blue.
2 grasshoppers. Orange. from Orange eaten.
2 x black ants. Green.
I grasshopper. Orange.
I moth. Blue. from Blue.
I moth. Green.
1 moth. White.
I moth. White. from White.
I moth. White.
I grasshopper. Blue.
1 grasshopper. White.
I grasshopper. White.
1 grasshopper. White.
I ant. Orange.
I beetle. Blue.
I grasshopper. Orange.
I grasshopper. Orange. from Orange.
1 moth. Orange.
I unknown. Green.
1 grasshopper. Orange.
1 grasshopper. White.
1 grasshopper. Orange.
1 moth. Blue.
1 grasshopper. Orange.
1 moth. Green.
1 grasshopper. White. renoved.
I moth. Blue.
76 TtE WILSON BULLETIN--NO. 79.
No. Sex. Time. Food. Young fed.
461. m 4:20 1 ant x. Green.
462. m 4:24 1 unknown. Green.
463. f 4:24 1 moth. Orange.
464. m 4:30 I moth. Blue.
465. f 4:35 1 raisin. Orange.
466. f 4:40 1 grasshopper. White.
467. m 4:44 1 moth. Blue.
468. f 4:49 1 grasshopper. Green.
469. m 4:52 1 cutworm. Blue.
470. m 4:55 I cutworm. White.
471. m 5:06 1 unknown insect. Green.
472. œ 5:19 I worm. Green.
473. f 5:26 1 moth. Blue.
1 cutworm. White.
474. m 5:27 1 nnknown. Green.
475. m 5:30 I nnknown. Orange.
476. m 5:32 I cutworm. White.
477. f 5:33 1 cutworm. Orange.
478. œ 5:35 1 cutworm. Orange.
479. f 5:40 1 dragonfly. White.
480. œ 5:43 2 moths. B. 1, G. 1.
481. m 5:45 1 grasshopper. Blue.
482. f 5:46 I grasshopper. White.
483. f 5:49 1 grasshopper. Blue.
484. m 5:54 1 worm. Green.
485. f 6:05 1 mayfly, 1 cricket. .Green.
486. f 6:11 1 maybeetle. iBlue.
487. f 6:15 1 mayfly, 2 moths. Green.
488. m 6:17 1 cutworm. Blue.
489. f 6:21 1 grasshopper, 2 dragonflies. Green.
490. f 6;26 1 wireworm. Vrhite.
491. m 6:28 2 cntworms, 1 unknown. White.
492. f 6:30 3 mayflies. Vhite.
493. m 6:43 1 moth, 1 grasshopper. White.
494. œ 6:44 I cutworm. White.
495. f 6:45 1 grasshopper. White.
496. m 6:47 1 cutworm. Blue.
497. f 6:47 2 mayflies. Green.
498. f 6:52 1 larva. Blue.
499. f 6:57 1 larva. YVhite.
500. m 6:58 1 grasshopper. Blue.
501. œ 7:05 I larva. White.
502. m 7:1.0 1 larva. Orauge.
503. f 7:24 1 cutworm. White.
504. f 7:26 1 grasshopper. White.
505. f 7:28 2 cutworms. W. 1, B. 1.
506. f 7:31 1 grasshopper. White.
507. f 7:48 2 moths. Orange.
508. f 7:49 1 raisin. Orange.
509. f 7:52 unknown. Orange.
510. m 7:56 1 worm. rite.
511. f 7:56 3 x moths. Bhm.
512. f 7:58 I moth. Green.
513. m 7:59 I moth. Orange.
Exereta.
relnoved.
removed.
removed.
remove
removed.
removed.
removed.
from White.
from Green.
froIn Blue.
froin White.
from Blue.
from Blue.
from Vhite.
froin Blue.
froIn White.
froIn White.
from Blue.
HOME LIFE OF THE ]ROWN THRASHER. 77
No. Sex. Time. Food. Young fed. Excreta.
514. f 8:00 1 mayfly. Green.
515. f 8:03 2 moths. Blue.
51(;. f 8:06 3 moths. B. 2, G. 1.
517. f 8:09 2 moths. Green.
518. f 8:10 2 moths. Green. front Green & White.
Data for Jiane 28, 1911. From 3:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
519. m 4:02 unknown. removed.
520. m 4:07 1 moth. ' -- removed.
521. f 4:14 1 moth. Orange.
522. f 4:15 1 moth. White.
523. m 4:]5 3 moths. Orange.
524. m 4:16 2 unknowns. G. 1, 0. 1.
525. f 4:16 1 grasshopper. White.
526. f 4:17 1 moth. Blue.
527. m 4:17 1 unknown. White.
528. f 4:18 2 x moths. Orange.
529. f 4:19 1 grasshopper. Green.
5.20. m 4:20 1 unknown. Orange. removed.
531. f 4:21 2 unknowns. G. 1, B. 1.
532. f 4:22 1 mayfly. Blue.
533. m 4:24 1 moth, 1 larva. Orange.
534. m 4:28 3 x unknowns. 0. B. XV.
535. f 4:29 2 x unknowns. White. removed.
536. f 4:31 2 grasshoppers. 0rauge.
537. m 4:38 1 larva. Orange.
538. f 4:10 1 grasshopper. White.
2 may flies. Blue.
539. f 4:50 2 nnknowns. Orange. Blue.
540. m 4:55 1 beetle. Orauge.
541. f 4:58 1 moth. 5Vhite.
542. f 5:05 1 mayfly. Green.
543. f 5:10 1 grasshopper. Blue.
544 f 5:11 1 nayfiy, l cricket. Green. removed.
545. f 5:12 1 grasshopper. White. removed.
546. f 5:15 4 mayflies. 0. 3, W. 1.
547. f 5:25 1 mayfly. Orange.
548. f 5:28 1 grasshopper. White.
549. f 5:30 1 unknown. Orange.
550. f 5:32 1 grasshopper. Orange.
551. f 5:35 1 grasshopper. Vhite.
552. f 5:36 1 mayfly. Green.
553. m 5:40 1 cutworm. White.
554. f 5:42 1 grasshopper. Green.
555. œ 5:45 5 mayflies. O. 2, W'. 3. removed.
556. f 5:48 2 mayflies. Green. removed.
557. f 5:50 1 mayfly. Blue.
558. f 5:53 1 grasshopper. Green.
559. m 5:58 3 mayflies. White.
560. m 6:00 2 beetles. Green.
561. f 6:02 1 mayfly. Blue.
562. m 6:02 2 heetles. Blue.
563. f 6:03 1 moth. Blue.
564. f 6:04 1 unknown. Green.
,S THE X3/4ILSON ]3ULLETIN--NO. 79.
No. Sex. Time,
565. m 6:07
566. f 6:07
567. f 6:12
568. m 6:12
569. m 6:]4
570. f 6:15
571. m 6:16
572. f 6:20
573. m 6:25
574. f 6:25
575. f 6:27
576. f 6:35
5,77. f 6:44
578. m 6:44
579. m 6:53
580. m 6:54
581. f 6:57
582. m 7:06
583. m 7:12
584. f 7:12
585. m 7:13
586. f 7:14
587. m 7:15
588. f 7:17
589. m 7:18
590. f 7:20
591. f 7:21
592. m 7:22
593. f 7:26
594. f 7:28
595. m 7:31
596. f 7:31
597. f 7:33
598. f 7:35
599. m 7:37
600. f 7:38
601. f 7:41
602. m 7:44
603. f 7:53
604. f 7:56
605. m 7:55
606. m 7:59
607. f 8:01
608. f 8:08
609. f 8:11
610. f 8:15
611. f 8:17
612. m 8:20
613. f 8:20
614. m 8:23
615. m 8:26
Food. Young fed. Excreta.
cutworn. White.
eutworin. Green.
grasshopper. Orange. removed.
grasshopper. Orange.
nmyfly, 1 worm. Blue.
nmyflics. Blue.
nlayllies. Blue. removed.
may flies. Orange.
may flies. White.
mayflies, 1 cutworm. Blue.
mayfly, 2 moths. Orange.
mayflies. Blue.
beetle. Green.
x mayflies. White.
x mayflies. Orange.
mayflies. Orange. from Orange.
larva. White. from White.
mayflies. Blae.
unknowu. Blue.
x may flies. (}l'een. frOIll Green.
x nmyflles. Green.
unknown. Orange.
mayfly. Green.
x may flies. White.
x lnayflies. O. G.
x mayflies. Green.
mayfly, 1 raisin. Orange.
x mayflies. Green.
mayflies. Green.
mayfly, 1 unknown.
x nmyflies. White.
mayflies. Blue.
unknown.
x mayflies. O.G.
mayflies. Green.
unknown. White. fl'om White.
nlayflles. Green.
mayflies. Green.
x mayflies. White.
damselfly, 1 mayfly. White.
x mayflies. O. 2, B. Rest. from Blue.
mayfly. Orange.
may flies. Blue. from Blue.
may flies. Green.
cutworm, I mayfly. White.
mayflies. Orange.
cutworm. Orange.
mayflies. B. 2, W. 3.
may flies. White.
mayflies. Blue.
mayflies. White.
mayflies. W. 2 mayflies.
cutworm. B. rest.
moth, I mayfly, I cutworm. Orange.
][()liE LHI OF THE BROWN TItRASHER. })
No. Sex. Time. Food. Young fed.
616. f 8:28 1. maybeetle. XVhite.
617. f 8:30 4 mayflies. White.
618. f 8:31 1 cutworm. Orange.
619. f 8:33 6 x mayllies. White.
620. m 8:35 1 cutworm, 1 mayfly. Blue.
621. f 8135 I elt'vorlll. Bhle.
622. in 8:40 J cutworm. Green.
623. m 8:43 I cntworln, I wireworm. Green.
624. f 8:47 1 worm. Green.
1 mayfly Orange.
025. f 8:49 2 mayflies. B. l, G. 1.
626. f. 8:53 1 mayfly. White.
627. f 8:58 2 mayflies. White.
628. in 8:59 1 xvirewomn. Green.
629. f 9:04 I mayfly. Blue.
630. m 9:05 I mayfly. White,
I xvireworm. Green.
631. f 9:09 2 mayflies. Green.
632. f 9:13 I mayfly, 1 wireworm. Green.
633. f 9:15 I mayfly. Blue.
634. f 9:17 2 grasshoppers. Green.
635. m 9:17 unknown. Orange.
636. m 9:19 3 mtyfiies. B. 1, 1V. 2.
637. f 9:23 1 mayfly, I wireworm, I fly. Blue.
638. m 9:32 I wireworm. Orange.
639. f 9:33 unknown. Orange.
640. f 9:35 1 raisin. Blue.
641. m 9:36 nnknown. W. O. fed.
642. f 9:39 3 mayflies. Orange.
643. f 9:40 I mayfly, I damselfly. Orange.
644. m 9:48 3 mayflies. Green.
645. f 9:52 I mayfly, I rnisin. Green.
646. m 9:56 I grasshopper. Orange.
647. f . 10:01 I mayfly. White.
648. m 10:03 1 spider. Orange.
649. m 10:06 2 mayflies. Orange.
650. f 10:09 2 moths. White.
651. f 10:11 1 grasshopper. Blue.
652. m 10:12 4 mayflies. Green.
653. f 10:14 1 grasshopper.
654. m 10:22 2 moths. 0. 1, G. 1.
655. f 10:24 2 larvae. O. 1, G. 1.
656. f 10:27 1 raisin.
657. m 10:29 I larva. White.
658. m 10:30 1 larva. Orange.
659. f 10:30 1 unknown. Blue.
660. f 10:33 2 ants. W.B.
661. f 10:36 1 grasshopper. Blue.
662. m 10:37 1 moth. Blue.
1 mayfly. Orange.
063. f 10:38 I mayfly. White.
664. m 10:40 1 larva. Green.
665. m 10:47 2 mayflies. Orange.
666. f 10:50 I mayfly. White.
Exereta.
froin White.
from Green.
fro ill Green.
from White.
from Green.
from White.
from Blue.
removed.
80 Tuz WrLSON BULLETIN--No.
No. Sex. Time. Food.
667. f 10:50 I moth.
668. m 10:54 2 mayflies. Blue.
669. œ 10:54 I grasshopper. Greea.
I moth. Blue.
670. œ 10:58 I hutterfiy, I mayfly. White.
671. f 11:06 I moth, I cutworm. Blue.
672. m 11:07 I cutworm. White.
673. œ 11:09 I moth. Bhle.
674. œ 11:14 2 iuoths. Orange.
675. f ]]:15 3 mayflies. Green.
676. m 11:15 ] grasshopper. White.
677. f 11:16 I grasshopper. Orange.
678. f 11:20 4 mayflies. Green.
679. f 11:26 2 mayflies. Blue.
680. m 11:26 I mayfly. Green.
681. f ]1:30 2 mayflies. Blue.
682. f ]1:36 2 mayflies. Blue.
683. m 11:40 I cutworm.
684. m 11:45 I grasshopper. Yhite.
685. f 11:45 3 iuoths. White.
686. f 11:50 1 grasshopper. White.
687. f 1] :51 ] grasshopper. Green.
688. f 11:56 2 moths. Blue.
689. f 12:05 1 moth. Blue.
690. m ]2:06 1 grasshopper. Orange.
691. f 12:08 1 mayfly. Orange.
692. m 12:09 1 moth. Blue.
693. f 12:]0 2 mayflies. White.
694. f ]2:13 2 mayflies. White.
695. f 12:14 1 maylly. White.
696. ra 12:14 1 grasshopper, 1 mayfly. White.
697. f 12:16 1 mayfly. Orange.
698. f 12:19 4 grasshoppers. G. 3, W. 1.
G99. m ]2:26 2 mayflies. Orange.
700. m 12:37 1 eaterpiller. White.
701. m 1:08 2 mayflies. Orange.
1 moth. Vhite.
702. m ]:10 I piece of cherry. Orange.
703. m 1:14 I moth. Orange.
704. m 1:15 I moth. Blue.
705. m 1:16 I moth. Blue.
706. m 1:25 3 mayflies. 0. 2, B. 1.
707. m 1:32 I grasshopper. Blue.
708. m 1:41 I grasshopper, 1 larva. Orange.
709. m 1:47 I grasshopper, I mayfly. Blue.
710. m 1:49 I grasshopper. White.
711. m 1:52 I grasshopper. White.
712. m 1:53 I grasshopper. Orange.
713. m 1:57 1 grinsshopper. Blue.
7]4. m 2:06 1 grasshopper. Orange.
715. m 2:08 1 grasshopper. Orange.
I mayfly. White.
716. m 2:15 2 grasshoppers. Orange.
717. m 2:19 I grasshopper. Orange.
Young fed.
Excreta.
from White.
from White.
fl'0111 (Ireell.
froin O1'}111ge.
from Blue.
frOlB Orange.
HOME LIFE OF THE BROWN THRASttER. 81
718. m
719. m
720. m
721. m
722. f
723. f
724. f
725. f
726. f
727. f
728. f
729. f
-30. f
731. f
732. f
72.'1. f
7,34. f
735. m
73(i. f
737. f
71}8. f
7,39. f
740. f
741. f
742. f
743. f
74 ;. f
745. f
74(;. f
747. f
748. f
749. f
730. m
75l. m
752. f
75;1. f
754. f
755. f
756. f
7.57. f
758. m
759. f
7(;0. f
7(;1. f
7('2. f
76.q. f
7(;4. f
7(15. f
76(;. f
767. f
708. f
2:23 1 grasshopper. Orange.
2:25 1 grasshopper. Orange.
2:26 i mayfly. White. from White.
2:40 2 grasshoppers. 0. 1, B. 1. from Blue.
2:53 2 x ants. YVhite.
2:54 i ant. White.
3:t)0 3 x ants. Blue.
3:33 I grasshopper, 1 mayfly. Blue.
3:45 I cutworm. Blue.
3:50 I grasshopper. Blue.
3:52 1 mayfly. White. from White.
,3:58 .q moths. White.
4:00 2 mayflies. lVhite.
4:01 grasshopper. White.
4:04 1 grasshopper, 1 larva. Blue. from Blue.
4:0(1 unknown. lVhite.
4:55 1 dragonfly. Blue.
5:43 l mayfly. Blue.
2 moths. White. from White.
5:45 unknown. Blue.
5:33 l grasshopper, 1 moth. Blue.
5:55 1 mayfly. Blue.
5:58 1 grasshopper. Blue.
(1:00 I mayfly. Bhm.
(;:01 1 mayfly. Blue.
(; :04 1 mayfly. White.
l moth. Blue.
(;:0O 3 mayflies. B. 2, W. 1.
g:07 1 1)eetle, 1 mayfly. Vhite.
g:42 1 moth. Blue.
7:02 1 ('utworn. Blue.
7:04 l moth. Blue.
7:()8 1 Inayfly, 1 moth. White.
7:18 1 moth. Blue. from Blue.
8:25 1 grasshopper. Blue
Data for June 2.0, 1911. From 4:00 a.m. to S:10 a.m.
4:18 1 grasshopper. Blue
4:20 unknown. Bhm.
4:25 1 mayfly. White. frmn White.
4:,30 1 earthworm. Illue. from White.
4 :,31 unknown. White. fron Blue.
4:.23 3 mayflies. Illve.
4:36 1 raisin. White.
4:40 1 moth. Wlfit'e.
4:56 unknown. White.
5:00 2 moths. White.
5:]0 3 mayflies. lVhite.
5:42 1 mayfly. White.
6:13 3 mayflies. 5Vhite.
6:15 1 mayfly. White.
6:16 1 heetle. White.
:41 1 beetle. White.
6:30 1 mayfly. White.
6:33 1 moth. White.
$g TIIE 3/4rIL$ON BULLETiN--No. 79.
No. Sex. Time. Food. Young fed.
769. f 6:45 unknown. IYhite.
770. f 6:53 ] grasshopper. White,
771. f 7:02 ] grasshopper. Blue.
772. f 7:07 I beetle. White.
773. m 7:14 I grasshoppeP. IYhite.
774. f 7:22 unknown. White.
775. m 7:35 1 moth. Blue.
Excreta.
Blue on nest.
Brooding.
The first observations were taken on the afternoon of Jnne
3, when the yonng birds were about six days old. Th'e af-
ternoon was hot and sultry and the nest was in such a position
as to be .exposed to the hot rays of the sun. One or the other
of the old birds brooded almost all of the time. During the
afternoon, the male broo.ded once for a period of twenty-six
minutes and the female for twenty minutes, but the periods
as a rule were sho.rt, being from two to fi've minutes in length.
At about two o'clock the shadow of an oak tree was thrown
on the nest and the old birds ceased brooding. On the next
day the brooding was carried on until about the same time,
but the old birds were not so particular about staying on the
nest all of the time, an4 by the following Monday, June 6,
the brooding to protect the young had practically ceased.
There xvas a marked difference in the position assumed by
the male and female in brooding. The male sat on the edge
of the nest with his feathers ruffled up, or stood in the nest
in much the same posture, affording very poor protection for
the young as compared with that given by the female. She
spread her wings, rnffied her feathers, and stood in such a
position as to completely shade the nest. Figures 3 and 4
show this contrast in behavior much better than it can be de-
scribed. The position in protecting the young from the rain
during the storm of the ?5th, was entirely different. The fe-
male was on the nest every time it was visited during the
morning. She sat down close to the nest and so well did
she cover it that, after one of the worst rain storms of the
season, the nest was perfectly dry. On the last two nights that
we watched the nest until the close of the feeding activity, we
}|OME LIFE OF TIlE ROYVN I'HRASIIER. 83
found, to our surprise, that it was the male who commenced
brooding for the night;but whether the female took his place
part of the time was not determined. Neither were we able
to determine which bird left the nest as we approached in the
morning.
From this somewhat meager data on brooding, it would
seem that at the ao-e of six days, at least, the old birds brooded
only during the heat of the day. Brooding' as a pro.tection
from the heat practically ceased on the seventh and eighth day.
Brooding at night and as a protection from the rain continued
until the young left the uest.
Feeding the Young.
The principal ohject of these observations was to ohtain
data in regard to the character aml amount of food the young
received from the parents, and in this we were fairly suc-
cessful. Besides this, much other data was secured relative
to the manner of feeding. Table II will show the number of
times each day that the parent birds brought food to the young
during the time they were under obs.ervation.
Date.
Jmm 23--12:45 P. M.-G :00 P. M ........... 26 32 58
June 24--12:50 P. M.-5:55 P. M ........... 27 41 68
June 26--12:55 P. M.-S :40 P. M ........... 47 59 106
June 27-- 3:30 A. M.-9:00 P. 5I ........... 98 186 286 *
June 28-- 3:30 A. M;.-8:42 P. M ........... 90 142 232
June 29-- 4:15 A. M.-S :10 A. M ........... 4 21 25
775
TABLE II.
Showing tile number of visits by each parent bird.
Time. By Male. By Female. Total.
Total times fed ..................... 292 481
From this table it will be seen that the female was much
mor. e active than the male in procuring food. The data given
* Twice on tile 27th tile young were f,ed without the sex of the
parent feeding being determined.
$4: THE VYrlLSON BULLETIN--NO. 79.
for June g9, and a sInall part of that œo.r June 28, does not
correctly represent the total feeding activity of both parents,
for, after the first fledgling left the nest, one of the parents
would remain with it for a period of two hcurs or more until
relieved by its mate-- that is, the labor of feeding was divided
between the uest and the departed brood. They could be seen
in a ravine near by attending to the fledglings, but the dis-
tance was too great to secure any trustworthy data. From
June g6 at 1.2:5.5 p.m. until the last young bird left the
nest, practically every feeding' is recorded. The two morh-
ings when the observations commenced at 3:30 a.m. it was
found that the old birds did not begin feeding till about
4::15, and o.n the morning of the 29th the parent bird was
stihl o.n the nest when the observer entered the blind at 4::15.
So from noon on the gC. th until they left the nest three days
after, the nestlings were under constant observation during
tim time of daily feeding activity.
Table III will show somethin of the character of the food
received by the young birds dnring this part of the nestling
period and also something of the quantity. It will be no-
ticed that in the talmlatcd data g'iven that the number of in-
sects was not always determined exactly but was entered in
this mmmer, "6(-mayfiies," etc. In all such cases the min-
inmm nmnber was used in computin.' the tables. As all o.f
the persons who assisted were cautioned especially to note
the nnmber of insects exactly, it is safe to assume that if
there be any error in the data, it is in having rco.rded too
few insects rather than too many.
TABLI] III.
Date--June 23 24 2ti 27 28 29 TotIs.
Unknown Insects ........ 1; 3 21 21 5 56.
Larv:e .................. 2 4 (; 10 22.
Spiders ................. 2 2 2 2 1 9..
Ra['ius. Cherry ........... ]0 '5 1 16.
Unknown Worms ......... 3 : 6 2 :14.
Earthworms .............. 1 3 3 I 8.
[IOMP; LIFE OF TIIE BROWN THRASHER.
TAnLr III--(Continued).
Date--June 23 24 26 27 28
Wireworms .............. 5 6
Ants ..................... 10 7
Caterpillars ............... 1 1 1
Flies .................... 1 1 2 1 1
Damselflies ............... I 2
Dragonflies .............. 1 ø 13 1
o
Butterflies ............... 1
Crickets ................. 3 2
Green Worms ........... 8 5 2
Cutworms ............... 12 5 20 48
Centipedes ............... 2
Moths ................... 28 13 4 139 48'
Mayflies ................. 6 27 56 79 244
Beetles .................. 3 6 6 ] 2 S
Gra, sshoppers ............ 31 41 35 Sl 55
29 TotIs.
11.
17.
3.
6.
3.
18.
4.
6.
]5.
103.
2.
237.
13 425.
3 38.
4 247.
Daily Totals .......... 100 104 14.'t 443 4:2 32 12(10.
This table, which covers only a period o.f fifty-six and a
fraction lonrs, shows a total of twelve hundred and forty-
four insects (excepting a few worms) consumed by this one
family of yo.ung birds in that time. This does not, o.f course,
include anything eaten by the parents. As it was found that
the working day for the parents began at 4:15 a.m. and closed
about 8:30 p.m.. a period of about sixteen hours, it will be
seen that the period of fifty-six hours, during which the nes't
was nnder observation, was only a fraction of the total num-
ber of feeding hours. The young birds were in the nest from
June 17 to June 29, a period of twelve days; but as they Ieft
on the morning of the 29th, we will omit that day from the
total, leaving a period of eleven days for the nestling period.
These eleven days represent one hundred and seventy-six
feeding hours--o,ver three tinms the period during which the
birds were under observation. Computing the total number
of insects eaten by the nestlings on the basis of the. food con-
sumed :luring the fifty-six hours, we have a total of 3800.
While this number seenas large, it must be borne in mind that
the possible lower food requirement of the first half of the
86 Tn: WILSON BULLETIX--NO. 79.
nestling period is compensated in the calculation by those in-
se'cts miqsed in the data for the last half. The fledglings xvere
observed around the ravine as late as July 2,.5 to be po,sitively
identified. A/ks it is certain that the daily consumption of in-
sects did not diminish to any marked extent, the value of these
birds as insect destroyers may readily be inferred. The four
insects consumed in the largest quantities were found to be
as fo,llows: grassh)ppers 24', Mayflies 425, moths 23% and
cutwo.rms 103. Two of these, at least, are positively destruct-
ive insects; and in the summer of 1911 the grasshoppers were
ahnost a plague in parts of northern Iowa. Many fields of
grain were destroyed and many more were cut green to pre-
vent destruction, making the oats light weight and of poor
quality. The g'rasshoppers stripped the oats from the straw
by cutting the stein of each grain. This was done while the
grain was in the milk, so it was a total loss. Many'fiekls
which promised from thirty to forty bushels yielded from five
to ten bushels to the acre after the grasshopper invasion. As
twenty per cent of the food of this family of thrasher con-
sist,e,d of grasshoppers, it cau readily be seen this spe'cies
is of cousiderable economic importance. A glance at the rest
of the list will show that almost without exception, the insects
fed to tha young were of an injurious character. The feed-
ing- of the raisins was for a time a puzzle to all, and at first
they were uot recognized as raisins; but after being brought
several times they were identified. The next question was as
to the sotrce of supply. It was o,bserved that only the fe-
male brought them. A careful watch was kept around the
building> aml she was seen to pick something out of the grass
by the kitchen door. On investigation a quantity of raisins
was found there and it was learned that a box of them had
been accidentally spilled a few days before. The male was
uot observed to bring' any, and as an experiment, a few were
placed near the nest. He paid no attention to them for a
number of visits, but finally he picked at one several times;
then picked it up, carried it to the fence and swallowed it.
He made no attempt to feed them to the young, although sev-
HOMIC [,IFF. OF tHE BROWN TIIRASItER. ST
eral tinms after this he ate one himself. The female on the
contrary was never observed to eat one of them, but fed a
number to the yonng from the ones by the ne'st. The piece
of cherry was also placed by the nest to see what the birds
would do with it. The male happened to he the first to visit
the nest and, after picking at it several times, gave it to one
of the nestlings. Most of the beetles were May beetles, and
the larvm were practically all of this form. The unkno.wn in-
sects and worms were of various kinds and were either so
badly crushed as to be unrecognizable o.r else we're of a spe-
cies mfamiliar to those in the blind at that time.
On June 2(;, abont 5 o'clock in. the afternoons, it was decided
to make an effort to determine the quantity of food received by
each nestling, and to that end a colored thread was tied on the
leg of each. Ily frequently observing the position of the
young birds in the mst, the color of the leg band, and paying
close attention to the changes in position, it was po.ssible to
get a record of the food each nestling received. The colors
were green, orange, bhie, and white, and each nestling will
hereafter be desig'nated by the color o.f the leg band. Green
was by far the most enterprising of the four and left the nest
several hours before anv o.f the others, and almost a. day be-
fore Blue, who was the weakest and most sluggish of all.
Fro.m June {i at -i:11 p.m., until Green left the nest on
the ,qth, at 12:1.9 p.m., he was fed 152 times; Orange 142
times; White 169 times; and Blue 133 times. Orange was a
small and active bird; White was large and inactive, but
seemingly po.ssessed of plenty of strength; Blue was weak and
timid. White stayed in the nest until almost the time. Blue
left, but this was dne more perhaps to his inactive disposition
than to inability to go. Durig the period of observation,
White was fed a total of 205 times before leaving the nest,
and Blue only lC3 tinms in the same period.
88 Tnb- V?ILSON BULLETIN7No. 70.
¸
¸
¸
¸
HOME LIFE OF THE IROYVN THRASHER.
In Tahle I? it will he so.on that, up to the time Green left
the nest, the nestlings had received insects as follows: Green
4,% Orange 200, White g46, and Blue 189. When one con-
siders that this distribution extended over parts, of three days,
it will he seen that the parents did well in dividing it up so
evenly. The total amount distriubted was 978 insects, or an
averag'e of 1) to each young bird. Green and White received
slightly over the average, and Orange slightly less. Blne was
30 below the average, but as already stated, he was neither
as active nor as large as 'the others, and possibly this may
have had something to do xvith the result.
Nothing' definite was determined, nor 4ould it be expected
in so short a series of observations, as to the method o.f ap-
portioning the food. A nnmber of throats were sometimes
tried before the food was finally given to one of the young,
but usnally this could L'e attributed to the insect, or insects,
being so, large thev could not be swallowed. When this hap-
pened the parent bird wo!d take the insect to some conven-
ieut perch and potnd it up till it was small enough for the
ymmp,- to swallow. Sometimes it seemed as if chance deter-
m/ned xvhich individnal vould receive the morsel, and at other
times it looked as if there were other factors. There seemed
to be a tendency to feed the one nearest the parent bird, and,
as the old birdq ahnost invariably approached the nest from
the so.uth, it would follow that the nestling on that side would
get the most food. lowever that may be, the young were
constantly trying to get to that side of the nest. One would
no sooner g, et into place on that side than another xvould
crowd him out. This was not always the case, for at times
the parents would reach over and feed those on the farther
side. Again it seemed as if the nestling that made the great-
est dismrhace received the foo
90 T.aE WILSON 'BULLETIN--XO.
Tables were also prepared to show the difference, if any,
in the character of the food procured by the tvo parents. It
was found that practically the same variety was brought by
each one. The male broug'ht centipedea on two different oc-
casions; and raisins, flies, and dragon flies were brought by
the female and never by the male.
Sanitation.
In the sanitatio.n of the nest tile birds vere scrupulously
clean. The excr'eta was seized by one of the parents before
it touched the nest, except on two occasions, and these at the
latter end of the nestin K period. Three interesting facts were
noted in connection with the passage of the excpeta: viz., the
young birds made no attempt to void the excreta except
when one of the parent birds was present; second, only one
of the nestlings voided the excr, eta at any one visit o,f the
parent birds; and third, almost always the bird fed, or if two
were fed, one of the two voided the excreta. The following
table will show this latter fact. The data for this table cov-
ers only the last two, days and a half of observation, as no
means of distin.uishing the birds was used until that time:
TABLE V.
Showing tle relation o.f feeding and the passage of exereta.
Exereta From
Date. from same bird as fed. some other bird. Total.
June 26 :12 5 17
June 27 54 2 56
June 28 35 I 36
June 29 3 0 3
Totals 104 8 112
The results of these observations seem to indicate that the
feeding' may possibly be the direct stimulus to the voiding of
the excreta, as out of a' possible 11P, times 104 sacs of .excreta
xv,ere removed from the nestling' receiving the food at that
visit, while only eight were removed from different birds.
The parents always stopped a few seconds after feeding, pos-
OME FE OF TIIE RO\VN THRASHER. 91
sibly waiting for the appearance of an excreta sac. In the case
of the nestlin voiding- the excreta, there were usually some
premonitory signs: viz., g,eneral uneasiness, ruffling the feath-
ers, and flirting' the tail. Then followed the elevatin7 of the
posterior end of the body, and as the sac came away the p.a-
rent bird seized it and either devoured it or carried it away.
See Fig'ure 5.
In reg'ard to disposing of the excreta there did not seem
to be any constant behavior. During' the first four days of
observation, the most of it was devoured by the parents at
the nest or carried a short distance and swalloved. The fol-
lowing table -will shov the total number of times the nest vas
cleaned. It will be seen from this table that the work of
sanitation was about equally divided betxveen the male and
female. Compare Table VI with Table VII, vhich shovs
the number 04 tinms the excreta was devoured by each of
the parents:
q_'ABLE VI.
Total number of times t'he nest was cleaned.
Date. By male. By female. Total.
June 23 .................. O 3 12
June 24 .................. 5 4 9
June 26 .................. 20 14 34
June 27 .................. 18 38 56
June 28 .................. 18 18 36
June 29 .................. 0 3' 3
Total .................. 70 80 150
TABLE VII.
Nmnber of times the excreta was devoured.
Date. By male. By female. Total.
June 23 .................. 9 3 12
June 24 .................. 4 3 7
June 26 .................. 1 3 4
June 27 .................. 3 5
June 28 ................... 1 0 1
June 29 .................. 0 0 0
Total .................. 18 14 32
92 TnF \VLSON BrLLE*N--NO. 79.
A study of this table will show that on the first day, out
of a total o4 twelve times the uest xvas cleaned, the excreta
was devoured every time; on the second day, June g4, seven
out of nine sacs were devoured; on the. g6th only four out
of thirty-four were devoured; on the g7th, eight out of fifty-
six; and on the gSth, one out of thirty-six. On the g9th, only
two birds were in the nest, and that .only for a short time.
This would seem to indicate that the period of devouring the
excreta came to an end o,n the 25th and 6th, or while on
the 27th the total number of sacs devoured was as large as
on the g4th, yet in proportion to th total it was much
smaller. It would seem then that about the eighth or ninth
day the old birds ceased dexo.urin the excreta and com-
menced to carry it away. There were several occasions when
the sac broke in the bird's leak; when this happened, the old
bird devoured the piece retained in the mouth, then picked up
the other and flew away with it. These were' not counted in the
table relating- to the devouring of the excreta, as there was
no xvay of determining whether or not it would have been
devoured if it had not broken. When the excreta was car-
ried from the nest there were several distinct modes of pro-
cedure. Several times the parent bird flew to a branch in an
oak about twenty feet from the nest and then dropped the sac
after alighting; occasionally it was dropped just before the
perch was reached; at other times it was carried to the perch
and then devoured, the beak being wiped on the limb after-
wards. While not universally true, the excreta was gener-
ally carried to one of three oak trees in the vicinity of the
nest and either devoured or dropped. An attempt was made
to determine whether there was any periodicity in the void-
ing of the excreta, but the results were not conclusive. The
intervals in each young bird varied from two minutes to over
five hours in length, with a majority of intervals from one to
one and a quarter hours in duration. The four nestlings
seemed to get c'clual attention in tlis particular: Green was
attended g7 times; \Vhite 38 times; Blue g5 times; and Or-
ange g2 times. White and Blue were in the nest about
HOME LIFE OF THE BRO\VN TaR-',SHER. 93
twenty-four hours after Green left, and about fifteen hours
after' Orange left. Blue, during the time the others were in
the nest, received the least attention; the excreta being re-
moved from him only twenty times up to the time of Green's
departtire. White received the 1host attention, thirty-four
times in the same period, while Orange. was attended twenty-
one times.
Departure of the Young.
_a_t about noon, June 28, the young birds became. very rest-
less, especially Green and Orange. They were continually
crawiing out of the nest and back again. At lg:g0 p.m.
Green crawled out of the nest and sat chirping for a short
time. He then spread his wing's and made an attempt to
fly, but only succeeded in going a fexv inches. Immediately
on falling he commenced to hop rapidly away; stopping a
short interval al a fence about ten. feet distant. One of the
old birds returned at this time and coaxed him along until he
reached the top of a little hill some sixty yards away. Here
he stayed for sonle time, b.eing fed at intervals by the old
birds. One of the parents was with him most of the time
from noxv on. From the time he left until t:40 the female
never visited tha nest, and when she returned, the male went
away and came back o.nly once the rest. of the afternoon.
At :10, Orange left the nest in much the same way. The
male went with him and by coaxin him a short way at a
time soon had the econd nestling' on the little knoll occupied
by Green. The male busied himself the rest of the day car-
in. 7 for these two while the female fed 3/4Vhite and Blue in
the nest.
The next morning White started away at '7:07 and was
coaxed along by the female for about thirty yards. Blue re-
mained alone in the nest until '?:5, being fed only once in
the interval; thoug'h 3/4\rhite was fed three times. :45 Blue
left the nest, but no parent bird returned to aid in the journey
as long' as the observations were continued. At 8:15, when
the observations ceased, Blue was still alone in the grass.
94 THE WILSON IULLETIN--No. ''9.
Later all four o.f the fledjlings were found in the ravine near
by. They were noticed here several times, July 25 being the
latest date on which they were positively identified. _At this
time the strings were still on their legs, but were so faded
that no particular color could be recognized.
Sio.ux City, Iowa.