Cahn — Food of Nestling Birds 



189 



THE DETERMINATION OF THE FOOD OF NEST- 

 LING BIRDS. 



BY ALVIN R. CAHN. 



I note with interest the discussion regarding- the relative 

 value of field observations and laboratory examinations in 

 the d'etermination of the food of nestling birds, and beg 

 leave as an " outsider " to say a word on the subject, and to 

 offer a suggestion. The controversy, in a word, seems to be : 

 Are field observations of the food of nsstling birds of any 



House Wren with Food for Youxg. 

 photo by a. e. cahn 



value as compared with the laboratory examination of stom- 

 ach contents ? ^ My answer to this question would be that 

 ^W. L. M.. Auk XXXI. .July. 1914. pp. 420-421 vs. T. C. Stephens, 

 Wilson Bui.. XXIV, Sept.. 1014. pp. 1."5T-1G1. 



