:p.^^:e^t I. 



Insect-eating Birds, 



The majority of land birds which are included in the order 

 Passeres or Perchers are for the most part insectivorous — 

 that is, insects form the bulk of their food. A certain 

 number, however, though still exhibiting insectivorous tend- 

 encies, favour a fruit diet, and in consequence prove them- 

 selves troublesome in the summer. These will be noticed 

 in subsequent parts of this book. 



In my correspondence with those dwelling in country 

 parts on the question of insectivorous birds, I have 

 repeatedly urged on them the necessity of thoroughly 

 studying the habits of the birds in their particular districts, 

 with the hope that the whole community may be benefited 

 by their observations. Furthermore, I was convinced that 

 a diHgent and impartial inquiry into the pros and cons of 

 the matter would persuade the farmer to hold his hand 

 many times when he is about to destroy some little bird 

 which he, on very insufficient grounds, has come to regard 

 as a pest. The following note from my much-valued 

 correspondent, Mr. Geo. Graham, is eloquent in its recogni- 

 tion of the service rendered by birds to the landowners : — '' It 

 is a fact that our insectivorous birds are little known, 



2 



