340 THE FOOD OP BIRDS IN INDIA. 



Though these crops were carefully watched and many speci- 

 mens of the birds seen feeding in and near these affected crops were 

 shot and examined the insects were not found to be touched. An 

 attack on Castor by Ophiusa melicerte showed that Acridoiheres 

 ginginnianus fed almost entirely on these insects at that time, 

 A. tristis and Corvus splendens also taking some considerable 

 number ; Ophiusa has also been noted as taken by Centropus 

 sinensis and Hierococcyx varius. 



Plusi i spp. are taken by Dendrocitta rufa, Acridoiheres tris- 

 tis, and Siphia albicilia ; Plecoptera reftexa by Dendrocitta rufa, 

 Dicrurus ater, Tephrodornis pondicerianus, and Upupa indica. 

 T.irache notabilis by Passer domesticus and Trigonodes hyppasia 

 by Dicrurus ater. 



Moths are generally also taken by Cuculinse, Phasianidse, 

 Coraciadae, Meropidae and insectivorous birds. 



Sphingidce. " Birds readily eat the caterpillars when they 

 find them and help to check them when they are numerous/' 

 Theretra oldenlandice larva taken by Dendrocitta rufa. 



Geometridce. Gnophus coVaris and Scardamia metallaria axe 

 the only two definitely identified species that have been noticed 

 to be taken by birds, in both instances by Passer domesticus. The 

 larvae of this family are mostly defoliators, and though elsewhere 

 some species are serious pests especially to fruit orchards, yet in 

 India no major pest is a Geometrid. The larvae are freely eaten 

 and form a favourite food for nestlings. 



SaturniidcB. To this group belong the Tassar (Anthercea 

 paphia) and Eri (Attacus ricini) silk worms. The imagines and 

 eggs of the latter were taken from some Crows, the insects having 

 been picked up off a rubbish heap, in a dying condition. Dendro- 

 citta rufa was also said to take the worms from the silk house when 

 given facilities for so doing. The Tassar silk worm larvae, when 

 kept in the open, are said to be taken by Crows and Mynahs. Silk- 

 worm cocoons are said to be taken by Aquila hastata, and Kites 

 take silk worms thrown away from the silk houses. Birds eat 

 caterpillars of Anthercea paphia. (I. M. N.). 



