MASON AND LEFROY. Ill 



ncrease they are beneficial. We have no definite records of any 

 damage being done to fruit by this family. 



Of crows and starlings Mr. W. L. Sclater (I. M. N., Vol. II, p. 

 121), says : " With regard to those of mixed diet. . .it would cer- 

 tainly be unadvisable to protect them, since they do much greater 

 harm in devouring fruit and grain than they do good in destroying 

 insects, such is specially the case with crows and starlings." 



We know practically nothing of value of the food of the starlings 

 in India. Of the mynahs more but not enough is yet known. As 

 with all omnivorous birds before we can think of protection we must 

 know the beneficial importance of the species in question at the 

 present time, and also, a fact which is equally if not even more im- 

 portant, what food that species will lake if by any chance its present 

 normal food supply fails. 



MUSCICAPID^E. 



The Flycatchers feed on insects which they either catch on the 

 wing starting from a perch to which they return several times, or 

 by running with the aid of their wings along the limbs of trees. F 

 I. II, 2. 



All the species of true flycatchers catch their prey on the wing 

 or by running along branches, occasionally going to the ground. 

 Insects their chief food. Jerd. B. I., I., 443. Termites. Jerd. B. 

 I. I, 292 



Little but insects which are caught habitually on the wing. 

 E. B. 0. N. H, 508. 



562. Siphia albicilla. Eastern Red -breasted Flycatcher. Ap- 

 pea,rs to tind sufficient insects to feed on in the pine trees. B.N. H. 

 S. J. XVII, 957. 



Stomachs examined 



31-1-08. 1 Small dragon fly. 



2 Myllocerus discolor. 

 9 Tanymecus sp. 



8-2-09. 1 (Ecophylla smaragdina. 



1 Camponotus compressus. 

 4 Opatrum sp. (depressum f ) 

 1 Mesomorpha villiger. 



