8 The Food of Some British Wild Birds. 



careful examination under the microscope. This latter procedure 

 is most important, as in this way much information is gained, as 

 this residue includes amongst other things mouth-parts of insects 

 and their larvae, antennae, scales, wings, legs, etc., insect eggs, 

 small and broken seeds, starch grains, spicules of earthworms, etc., 

 etc. 



The whole of the materials were then scheduled together with 

 such other particulars as were thought to be of importance, e.g., 

 date, locality, sex. 



2. Observations in the Field. 



In endeavouring to form a correct estimate of a bird's food, 

 and whether or not it is beneficial or injurious, too much import- 

 ance cannot be placed upon careful and accurate field observations. 



A pair of good field glasses are necessary. In the orchard I 

 have found a sloping plank of wood to lie on, and an old mackintosh 

 coat to cover one's body with, very useful. In other situations an 

 umbrella is not to be despised. For more open spaces an excellent 

 arrangement can be made by a light wooden framework consisting 

 of two halves 60in. by 30in., hinged with leather. Over this, dirty- 

 green calico is tacked, through which various observation holes can 

 be made. The observer seats Himself with his back to a hedge, 

 tree, shed, etc., and opens the framework in front of him thus : A. 

 Two such frameworks, with an open umbrella as a roof, form a 

 comfortable and valuable vantage-ground for almost any field 

 observations. 



3. Observations on the Food of Nestlings. 



I have found the arrangement described above most useful for 

 observing the nature of the food brought by the parents to the nest. 

 Other observations have been made from behind a curtained 

 window. 



4. Examination of Faeces and Pellets. 



A considerable amount of very valuable information may be 

 obtained from careful and systematic examination of the droppings 

 of birds, but, as will be gathered from the observations later 

 recorded, large quantities, and at different seasons of the year, 

 must necessarily be examined if this source of information is to 

 prove of any value. 



