AND LEFROY. 326 



a water-hen (Amaurornis phcenicurus). Other, or the same spe- 

 cies also occurred in Calandrella dukhunensis, Coracias indica, 

 Sarcogmmmus indicus, and Inocolis papillosus ; a number of spe- 

 cimens also in a Caprimulgus macrwus. 



Blattidce. 



The Cockroaches are classed as neutral. It is a well known 

 fact that damage is done by these insects to stored goods, but it 

 is obvious that, unless migrating across the open birds cannot get 

 at these insects in order to feed on them. (Turkeys do so, and 

 probably other poultry). The food of species other than those that 

 occur in stores consists of dead animal and vegetable matter, the 

 insects being in reality scavengers. 



Cockroaches are probably taken by most ground feeding birds 

 which eat insects, but have only been noticed in the stomachs of 

 Crateropus canorus and Phylloscopus superciliosus. 



Acridiidoe. 



All the locusts and grasshoppers are injurious. Some are 

 major and regular pests to crops, whilst others though not habi- 

 tually found on cropped areas may possibly make inroads on crops 

 especially when young. They are eaten by practically every spe- 

 cies of insectivorous bird, and form one of the main supplies from 

 which birds in India draw their insect food. They include the 

 swarming locusts and all kinds of grasshoppers, of which Chroto- 

 gonus spp., the well known ground grasshoppers, which every year 

 do great damage to young crops as they are coming above ground, 

 are worth special mention. 



The Starlings and Mynahs are perhaps the greatest enemies 

 of these insects, and special mention must be made of the locust 

 eating propensities of the Rosy Pastor (Pastor roteus), No. 528. 

 Crows, the smaller Owls, and Hawks also at times feed on these 

 insects to a very large extent. 



The following genera are noted as taken by birds : Acridium, 

 Atractomorpha, Cyrtacanihacris, Gastromargus, Chrotogonus, Oxya 

 and Tryxalit. 



