2go THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



I had my attention drawn in June last to a Blackbird an adult 

 female greedily devouring the daisies (Bellis perennis) which 

 starred the plot of grass in front of my house. On two consecutive 

 days the 29th and the 30th it was several times observed thus 

 engaged. The weather was fine and warm. On the second date 

 I watched the bird from a distance of only a few yards. Alighting 

 on the grass, it immediately hopped towards a fully expanded 

 daisy, which it seized in its bill, plucked neatly from the stem, and 

 swallowed whole. In rapid succession daisy after daisy was treated 

 in exactly the same way, till no less than twenty-one flower-heads 

 had disappeared down the bird's throat, when, taking alarm at 

 something, it flew off to another garden. In about ten minutes 

 it returned, and, systematically as before, disposed of other twenty- 

 four daisies. One wonders what nourishment the bird could 

 derive from such a meal ; but perhaps the flowers were taken 

 medicinally ! William Evans, Edinburgh. 



Song-thrush's strange hill of fare. On two occasions 

 during the nesting seasons of 19 13 and 19 14 I observed a Song- 

 thrush feeding its young with daisy flower-heads. 



Each occurrence was with a full-fledged young bird following 

 its parent. The flowers were full-blown, and as the old bird 

 plucked them, they were eagerly accepted by its offspring over a 

 dozen flowers disappearing in rapid succession. 



I was naturally much interested, and carefully examined several 

 of the flower-stalks. I found the flower-head in every instance 

 had been neatly nipped off and the full length of the stalk left 

 standing. This strange performance took place in the Royal 

 Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, where the birds are unusually tame 

 and easily approached, and was also witnessed by my little 

 daughter. 



I have never seen any account of thrushes indulging in such 

 a curious diet, and think it may be worth recording. J. Kirkb 

 Nash, Edinburgh. 



