134 THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



Stomachs examined contd. 



4-4-09. 1 Haliplus augustifrons. 



2 Pachnephorus bretinghami. 

 20 Hydrophilidse (3'species). 



4-4-09. 1 Small Elaterid. 



24 Hydrophilidae (3 species). 

 1 Small caterpillar. 



Summary. Of 66 insects taken by 3 birds, 18 are injurious, and 

 48 neutral. Three birds took injurious, and 3 neutral insects. One 

 took a spider. 



835. Motacilla beema. Indian Blue-headed Wagtail. 



Stomachs examined 



29-3-09. 4 Flies (Muscids). 



3 Heteroderes sp. 



1 Cydnus nigritus. 

 4-4-09. 7 Flies (Muscids). 



1 Heteroderes sp. 



2 Beetles legs (possibly Myllocerus sp). 

 4 4-09. 9 Flies (Muscids). 



Mesomorpha villiger. 

 6-4-09. 3 Flies (Muscids). 

 2 Heteroderes sp. 

 2 Cydnus nigritus. 



Summary. Of 36 insects taken 5 are injurious, beneficial 

 and 31 neutral. Three birds took injurious, beneficial, and 4 

 neutral insects. 



Notes. Three birds obtained on 4-4-09 contained nothing identifiable except 100 (approx.) 

 Aphides* which were probably obtained from "doub" grass as these birds were only noticed on 

 grass lands, but the aphides could not be found on the grass ; 73 were in one bird. 



Conclusion. Probably beneficial. 



839. Limonidromus indicus. Forest Wagtail. Dung of cat- 

 tle for insect larvae (Layard, Ceylon). Jerd. B. I., II., 227. jj 



Pipits, chiefly feed on insects, but also eat grass seeds, and other 

 grain. Jerd. B. I., II. , 300. Frequent the ground, but a few species 

 occasionally perch on trees and even run along the larger boughs 

 in persuit of insects. F. I., II, 301. 



841. Anthus maculatus. Indian Tree-pipit. Various insects, 

 and also on seeds on ground and on trees. Said to kill 



* Probably Macrosiphum granarium the wheat aphis [H. M. L.] 



