16 The Food of Some British Wild Birds. 



come to our county, and seeing plenty of fruit trees they stay on 

 and add to our already over-crowded bird population." 



A Worcestershire correspondent writes: "After many years 

 careful observation I have come to the conclusion that the Missel 

 Thrush is far too plentiful, and in fruit-growing districts certainly 

 does more harm than good." 



Post-mortem Records. 



Only twelve birds have been examined, viz., two in April, 

 three in May, five in June, and two in July. In all but the April 

 specimens the contents consisted of fruit-pulp and seeds. Those 

 examined in April contained remains of beetle larvae and slugs. 



Field Observations. 



On numerous occasions I have seen this species feeding upon 

 cherries, plums, and black currants; also the berries of mountain - 

 ash, juniper, hawthorn, holly and ivy. Beetle larvae, such slugs as 

 Arion hortensis, Fer. and Agriolimax agrestis, Linn., and earthworms 

 are also eaten. 



Conclusion. 



In fruit-growing districts this bird should be kept down, for 

 four months in the year it does more harm than is counter-balanced 

 during the remainder of the year. It is more and more becoming a 

 fruit-eater and for many years past has shown an annual increase 

 in numbers. 



SONG THRUSH. 



Turdus musicus, Linn. 



Unfortunately this bird is often confounded with the Missel 

 Thrush, and is frequently blamed for the latter birds' acts. Whilst 

 to a certain extent similar in its food habits, its liking for fruit 

 is by no means so pronounced. 



Hooper (68) refers to it as destroying " large quantities of 

 strawberries, cherries, red currants, and raspberries, but does 

 not, like the blackbird, peck apples and plums on the trees; worst 

 in dry weather when its natural food, consisting of worms, snails, 

 grubs, and slugs, is hard to get. One grower mentions it eating 

 raspberry weevils." 



Post-Mortem Records. 



Sixty-four specimens were examined extending over the whole 

 of the year. The materials found were summarised as follows : 



