Food of Western House Wren

The microscopic dissections of birds in the field, tabulated by Lee R. Dice and published in the May CONDOR, makes a Person who takes most of his 4:30 a. M. observations from a downy couch on the sleeping porch feel that he is using a very lazy method. A strong resolution to profit by the example which Mr. Dice has set, resulted in the following table compiled by the writer from observations made between lo:20 and 11: 20 A. M., June 15, 1321. The subjects were a family of eight nestling Western House Wrens (Troglodytes nedon parkmani) which were being fed by parents so tame that they could be watched from a distance of six feet. This made it possible to identify with a fair degree of accuracy the items on the bill of fare.

Everything offered was apparently devoured with alacrity except one gray and yellow beetle of considerable size, which one of the parents left inside of the box, but removed after a moments ’ interval. This is not included in the list.

Table of food eaten by 8 nestling Western House Wrens; Berkeley, California, June 15, 1921; lo:20 to 11:20 A. ix.; temperature, 65”; wind, west.

Kind of food                                             Average per bird                                                 Total number

Lady-bug ................................................        .625                                                                      5

Crane-fly ................................................         .5                                                                         4

Beetles (large)  .......................................         .625                                                                      5

Beetles (small) ......................................           .5                                                                         4

Wire-fly .................................................           .25                                                                       2

Lace-wings ..............................................         .125                                                                     1

Leaf-hopper ..............................................         .12.5                                                                   1

Cricket ......................................................        .625                                                                    5

Grasshopper ............................................          .125                                                                    1

Butterfly .................................................           .125                                                                    1

Moth ..........................................................        .125                                                                   1

Milliped ...................................................           .125                                                                    1

Grub ...............................................                   .125                                                                    1

Unknown .................................................           .125                                                                    1

Total number of feedings ......................................................................................... 33

Average amount per bird .................................................................................... 4.125

Average time between feedings .................................................. 1 min. 49.08 sec.

Average time per bird between feedings ................................ 14 min. 32.7 sec.

Number of kinds of food ........................................................................................... I4

Number of feedings per parent per hour.. ............................................................ 16.5

Average time consumed in finding food ........................................ 3 min. 38 sec.

Number of excreta removed ........................................................................................ 6

Amelia S. Allen

Berkeley, California, June 30, 1921