IP-^I^I' I. 



BIRDS EXCLUSIVELY INSECTIVOROUS 

 OR MOSTLY SO. 



The position of nearly all the birds arranged under this 

 head is that of Passeres, or Perchers, and a review of the 

 habits of our birds will show that the Passeres, if not 

 altogether insectivorous, are very much so. It has been 

 necessary, however, to exclude a certain number that are 

 for the most part frugivorous, or else have proved them- 

 selves troublesome in summer. These are noticed in sub- 

 sequent parts. In my correspondence bearing on this 

 subject I have often urged those people with country 

 occupations to foster the healthy pursuit of bird-study, 

 with the hope that we might all be benefited by their 

 observations in the field. One of the replies seems to me 

 to be characteristic : — " From my point of view the study 

 of small birds is profitable as well as healthy, for we would 

 be actually starved off the land if it were not for our bird 

 friends, both large and small. As much as possible I leave 

 cover to protect and preserve them. In the damp parts of 

 Victoria ground vermin is so numerous and prolific that 

 our regard for the birds is by no means a sentimental one." 



