1906.J 239 



COLEOPTERA FEOM THE NeSTS OF BlEDS. 



1 might have worded this '' Coleuptera from the nests of birds 

 that build iu holes in trees," as every collector knows how few beetles 

 are to be found in nests in hedges, and on the ground, &c., and that 

 these are generally common species. By far the commonest birds 

 nesting in holes in trees are the starling and four species of tit 

 (Fanes). The former builds its nest of hay, straw and a few feathers, 

 and every hole of a convenient size will generally be found occupied. 

 It very often turns out the woodpecker from its hole, and is itself 

 expelled or succeeded by the great bat (^Vespp-rugo noctula). These 

 nests are generally much the most attractive to beetles, as bats allow 

 their droppings to fall into them. Young starlings too occasionally 

 foul their nests badly, as some fortunately did which were brought up 

 in a nesting box I put up in my garden. JSot uncommonly starlings 

 and often sparrows build in holes in old dead trees, or behind bark, 

 etc. ; these nests are generally too dry for beetles, but contain great 

 numbers of fleas. 



Tits' nests, consisting mostly of moss, hair and wool, are far 

 cleaner, as the tit, besides being more particular that its nesting hole 

 is dry, takes care that it is thorougly cleared of rubbish before start- 

 ing to build ; whereas, several years' accumulation of rotting straw 

 may be found in a starling's nesting hole. Microglossa pulla and 

 Choleva fumata are the only two " birds' nest " beetles I have taken 

 in them. Jackdaws build in large hollow branches or trees, but the 

 nest, containing a certain amount of dry mud, is nearly always too 

 dry and dusty for beetles, and sometimes even for fleas, which are 

 no doubt inconvenienced or killed by the very fine dust getting into 

 their spiracles. This is a confirmation of the general belief that 

 birds "dust" themselves to get rid of lice and fleas. Owls sometimes 

 occupy an old jackdaw's nest, but more often select a hollow tree, 

 where, although no nest is made, large numbers of their "pellets " 

 accumulate yetir after year. The stock-dove makes its nest of a few 

 sticks in any hole it can find unoccupied by a jackdaw or owl, often 

 in one of their deserted nests, and it is difficult when looking for 

 beetles in the autumn to say w^hich bird has last occupied a given site. 



This year I have examined many starlings' and tits' nests from 

 Berkshire, sixteen of the former containing beetles of interest ; also 

 several jackdaws' and stock doves' and five owls' nests. Mr. Chitty 

 has kindly given me some notes ou seven starlings' nests which con- 

 tained beetles from Kent, three of which he has examined on more 



