List of Birds Examined. 27 



Examination of Faeces. 



The examination of a large number of droppings lends support 

 to the view that this species is not concerned in the distribution 

 of weed seeds, and that the bulk of its food is of animal nature. 

 The mouth parts of insects and fragments of the wing-cases and 

 legs were met with in large numbers. 



Conclusion. 



In spite of all that has been chronicled against this bird, I am 

 of opinion that it is distinctly beneficial. The harm it does is 

 comparatively insignificant when compared with the great benefits 

 it confers. 



WREN. 



Troglodytes parvulus, K. L. Koch. 



This species is included as I had four adult specimens sent in 

 and eight nestlings. The wren is essentially an insectivorous bird ; 

 there are numerous observations on record supporting this state- 

 ment, but so far as I am aware these are the first published records 

 obtained from post-mortem examinations. 



Post-mortem Records. 



Field Observations. 



A pair of birds nesting close to my house were carefully 

 watched, and counts were made of the number of visits the parents 

 paid to the nest. ^Between 2 and 3 p.m., 38 visits were made; 

 between 3 and 4 p.m., 36; and between 6 and 7 p.m., 29- On all 

 these occasions Crane Flies constituted the bulk of the food. 



