MASON AND LEFROY. 343 



the greater number of species are injurious, but some being preda- 

 ceous play an important part in checking caterpillars, &c., and are 

 therefore beneficial. 



We must therefore class the sub-order as neutral. 



The Pentatomidse are for the most part vegetable feeders, 

 some few, none of which have been taken from birds, being preda- 

 ceous chiefly among the Amyoteinse. 



Bagrada picta, a well-known pest, is taken occasionally by Acri- 

 dotheres tristis and Anihus maculatus ; Nezara viridula also a pest ig 

 taken by Graucalus macii, Ruticilla rufiventris, Brachypternus auran- 

 tius, Upupa indica, and Francolinus vulgaris. The Cydnince are includ. 

 ed as injurious though but little is as yet known of their habits, 

 They do not form an appreciable proportion of any bird's food, 

 but are taken by a fair variety of species. Cydnus spp. were taken 

 by Anthus maculatus, Calandrella dukhunensis, Graucalus macii t 

 Rut : cilia rufiventris, Brachypternus aurantius, Upupa indica, and 

 Francolinus vulgaris Cydnus nigritus by Crateropus canorus, 

 Molpastes bengalensis, Graucalus macii, Siphia albicilia, Ruticilla 

 rufiventris, Motacilla personata, M. beema, Anthus maculatus, Arach_ 

 nechthra asiatica, Upupa indica, Francolinus vulgaris, Sarcogram. 

 mus indicus, and Gallinago ccelestis ; Cydnus varians by Crateropus 

 canorus and Francolinus vulgaris ; Chrysocoris alba var. pollens 

 by Motacilla alba ; Storthecoris nigriceps by Francolinus vul- 



Coreidce. This family is in all probability entirely herbivo- 

 rous, sucking out the juices of plants. Leptocorisa is a member. 

 They may be classed as injurious. 



ClavigraVa horrens, which sucks the sap of Cajanus indicus and 

 may possibly be injurious, was taken by Francolinus vulgaris ; Ho- 

 mosocerus inornatus, which feeds on trees (possibly injurious), was 

 taken by Graucalus macii. 



Lygceidce. Practically nothing is known of the food of this 

 family, and they must therefore be classed as neutral. Lygceus 

 hospes was taken by Oriolus kundoo and 0. melanocephalus, both 



