112 



THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



Stomachs examined contd. 



1 Lepidopterous larva. 



1 Dipteron (head). 

 8-2-09. 2 Mesomorpha villiger. 



4 Aphodiids. 



3-3-07. 2 Myrmecocystus setipes. 



4 Tanymecus ? elytra. 



3-3-07. 3 Camponotus compressus. 



2 Mesomorpha villiger. 

 1 Opatrum sp. 



1 Pyralid wing. 



12-3-09. 1 Hypsa ficus ? 



10_3_08. 6 Elytra of Tanymecus ? Myllocerus 



6 Aphodiids. (Pusa No. 2106). 



1 Pyralid wing. 



1 Dipteron. 



U_4_09. 3 Opatrum sp. 



1 Scleron orientale. 



4 Myllocerus discolor. 

 1 Thea cincta. 



12-4-07. 4 Myrmecocystus legs ? (4 insects). 



1 Opatrum sp. 



1 Coccinella 1-punctata. 



5 Rhyssemus germanus. 



3 Tanymecus sp. 

 11-10-08. 1 Camponotus compressus. 



12 Myllocerus sp. 



1 Hemipterous scutellum. 



11-11-07. Weevil remains only (7 or 8 specimens). 



30-11-07. 3 Tanymecus sp. 



1 Myllocerus sp. 



1 Noctuid larva. 



2 Pyralid wings. 



1 Cydnus nigritus. 



Summary. Of 108 insects recorded in the stomachs of 12 birds, 

 3 belong to the beneficial group, 64 to the injurious, ard 41 to the 

 neutral. Three birds took beneficial insects and 11 injurious, and 

 8 neutral. 



The food of this flycatcher consists almost entirely of beetles, 

 but a very fair proportion of ants is eaten. It may be seen day 

 after day in the same place pursuing insects on the wing and 

 especially various kinds of small moths. I have seen it take several 

 species of Pyralids, including Ancylolomia chrysographella, Pyrausta 

 codesa^s, and one or two Noctuids including Caradrina pecten, and 

 Plusia sp. Once it was seen to take an Opatrum sp. from the ground. 



