326 THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



Phasmidce. 



Stick insects are included as neutral for India, though well- 

 known as defoliators elsewhere. They are said to be taken by the 

 Podargidce or Frogmouths. 

 Mantidce. 



Praying insects are generally regarded as beneficial and are 

 here so also. They are general insect feeders, preferring the softer 

 varieties, such as moths and flies, and possibly caterpillars to some 

 extent. 



Many birds will certainly be found to take these insects, in 

 fact, we may expect all such birds as take locusts and grasshoppers 

 to take preying insects. There are numerous references to birds 

 taking them, but we have only one definite record, namely, that 

 an egg mass was found in a Water-hen (Amaurcrnis phanicurus). 



Green grasshoppers are both predaceous and herbivorous ai:d 

 little is known about their food. They have been included as neu- 

 tral as a class. 



Schizodactylus monstrosus , the only species of this group 

 definitely identified as forming part of bird's food, is freely taken 

 by Coracias indica, Upupa indica, Hierococcyx varius, also by the 

 commoner Hawks, Kites, Ibises, &c. This species is injurious. 

 GryllidcB. 



Crickets are included among the injurious insects. Of the 

 smaller species little seems to be known. The larger species men- 

 tioned below are burro wers feeding on vegetation and sometimes 

 committing some damage by cutting off young plants close 

 by the roots. The following species have occurred in birds 

 examined : Liogryllus bimaculatus, Gryllotalpa africana, Gryl- 

 lodes melanocephalus , and Brachytrypes achatinus, these being taken 

 chiefly by Crows, Shrikes, Blue jay (Coracias indica), the Hoopoe 

 (Upupa indica), the King-crow (Dicrurus ater), Cuckoos, the 

 Owlet (Athene brama), Hawks of various kinds and other birds 

 to a less extent. They are in fact taken by much the same spe- 

 cies of birds as the Locustidce, the King-fisher (Halcyon smyrnen. 

 sif) Jbeing also partial to Brachytrypes achatinus. 



