1886-87.] Sivallows and Starlings Feeding in Concert. 71 



':nN.— SWALLOWS AND STARLINGS FEEDING 

 IN CONCERT. 



By Mr A. B. HERBERT. 



{Read April 27, 18S7.) 



A RATHER curious coincidence came under my notice on the 

 14tli of August last, while on a visit at a country-house in 

 Warwickshire. I had observed that the " Daddy long-legs " or 

 crane-flies {Tipula oleracca) were most abundant just at that 

 time — indeed it was impossible to walk in the pastures without 

 arousing these insects at almost every step — and on one of my 

 customary walks about the grounds before breakfast, I saw over 

 the garden hedge a large flock of starlings sitting and stretching 

 out in a long line across a meadow, and working against the 

 wind in a very methodical manner, as is their usual custom, 

 those in the rear flying over the others and settling again in 

 front, and in this manner beating over the whole length of the 

 field. Immediately the starlings settled, a vast concourse of 

 swallows appeared on the scene, and these kept flitting about 

 in a long line just over the heads of the starlings, and feeding 

 on the crane-flies which the starlings disturbed from the grass. 

 Thus the flocks of birds of two very diverse species and habits 

 kept in parallel lines over the whole pasture, feeding in concert ; 

 and when the starlings, on approaching the hedge, rose up in a 

 body and wheeled round for another beat, the swallows followed 

 them, and commenced again flitting just over their heads in a 

 similar manner as before. I watched these peculiar proceed- 

 ings with much interest till the breakfast-bell summoned me 

 indoors. Whether the starlings were eating the " daddies," or 

 searching for grubs, &c., in the grass, I could not distinctly 

 ascertain, but as to the food of the swallows there could be no 

 doubt, and it appeared to me an intelligent act on their part to 

 avail themselves of the services of the starlings in procuring 

 what we well know is a favourite article of swallow diet ; and 

 when we consider how destructive to the crops of farmers and 

 gardeners these insects are in their larva stage, we cannot over- 

 estimate the value and importance of the services rendered by 

 these most useful birds. From their peculiar toughness these 



