324 THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



The classification of insects into definite groups with regard to 

 their economic importance can at present be but a temporary one, 

 and will undoubtedly need modifications from time to time : 

 until we know more of the food of animal life in general the real 

 economic importance of many species of birds can but remain an 

 unknown quantity. 



The present classification of insects adopted here with regard 

 to their economic importance has been arranged in consultation 

 with H. M. Lefroy, Esq., Imperial Entomologist, and contains 

 therefore as near as possible the correct economic importance of 

 the insects mentioned, considering how limited is the knowledge 

 of even some of the commonest insects in India at the present 

 time. 



It must be borne in mind that the economic importance of 

 the insect food as stated in this paper is strictly with reference to 

 what is known of the food plants, or otherwise of the insects at 

 present recorded as taken by birds in India. Families of insects 

 (e.g., Elateridae) well-known as pests in other countries are not in- 

 cluded as pests in this paper unless we know that they are pests in 

 India, or that from the food of other insects of the same family or 

 genus as the insect in question these latter are undoubted pests, 

 there being every reason therefore for assuming that this insect 

 is also injurious, though its habits and life history are yet un- 

 known, or imperfectly known. Beneficial and neutral insects are 

 treated in a similar manner. 



ORTHOPTERA. Forficulidce 



The Earwigs are in some few instances said to be injurious 

 to flowers, &c., but are not reported so from India. Little appa- 

 rently is known about their food in any country, and they have 

 therefore been included as neutral. Vegetable and animal matter 

 are possibly taken alike for food. 



Forficulidae are taken as food by birds to a small extent only. 

 Ohelisoches melanocephalus was found to be taken by the Hoopoe 

 (Upupa indica}', 5 specimens of Labidwa riparia were found in 



