344 THE POOD OP BIRDS IN INDIA. 



of which birds show perhaps a slight preference to Hemiptera as 

 food ; Lygceus sp. by Dicrurus ater, Oriolus kundoo, and Hierococcyx 

 varius ; Graptosteihus servus, G. dixoni and G. nigriceps by Fran- 

 colinus vulgaris. All these species of insects are neutral. 



Pyrrkocoridce. Only one injurious species is known, namely 5 

 Dysdercus cingulatus, the Red Cotton Bug, which is taken by Sitta 

 frontalis, by Hierococcyx varius, and fairly frequently by Oriolus 

 kundoo and 0. melanocephalus. 



Dermatinus lugubris, a neutral species, was taken freely by 

 Francolinus vulgaris ; some Pyrrhocorids were taken from the 

 stomach of Cotile sinensis. 



Homoptera contain the Fulgorids, Membracids, Jassids, Aphids 

 and Coccids. Most of these are injurious as classes. 



Fulgoridce.- Lawana conspersa, included as injurious though 

 possibly only a wild plant feeder, was taken by Oriolus kundoo and 

 Comcias indica. Pyrilla aberrans, a cane pest, is said to have been 

 eaten in large numbers by some small birds, most probably some 

 species of Phylloscopus, during the cold weather of 1906 at 

 Pusa. , ( ^^ 



Membracids and Jassids are all to some extent injurious 

 They are both taken by Francolinus vulgaris, the latter being also 

 taken by Sitta eastern iventr is. It is more than probable that many 

 of the Warblers and Tits take this class of insect-food to some 

 considerable extent. 



Aphids are injurious. They occurred in the stomachs of some 

 Wagtails (Motacillidce) and are most probably taken by birds that 

 frequent trees and bushes and especially by the Sylviidce, Certhiidce 

 and Fringillidce. Aphis gossypii was found to be taken in numbers 

 by Phylloscr.pus tristis. 



Coccidce. The scale insects, though not of so much importance 

 in India as in other countries, are undoubtedly injurious. They 

 have been recorded in very few instances from birds, but in all 

 probability, where small birds are common and where these insects 



