CONTENTS. 



PREFACE PAGE, 



I. INTRODUCTION i 



II. HISTORICAL REVIEW ... N ... ... 5 



III. METHODS OF EXAMINATION 7 



1. Examination of Stomach, etc., Contents ... 7 



2. Observations in the Field 8 



3. Observations on the Food of Nestlings 8 



4. Examination of Faeces and Pellets ... ... 8 



IV. THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BIRDS ... ... 9 



The Food of Nestling Birds 12 



V. LIST OF BIRDS EXAMINED 14 



Food of the 



1. Missel Thrush (Turdus viscivorus, Linn.). ... 15 



2. Song Thrush (Turdus musicus, Linn.). ... 16 



3. Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris, Linn.) 18 



4. Blackbird (Turdus merula, Linn.). ... ... 19 



5. Whitethroat (Sylvia cinerea, Bechetein). ... 21 



6. Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla (Linn.)). ... ... 22 



7. Great Tit (Parus major, Linn.). ... ... 23 



8. Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus, Linn.). ... 25 



9. Wren (Troglodytes parvulus, Koch). ... ... 27 



10. Greenfinch (Liyurinus chloris (Linn.)). ... 28 



11. Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans, Stephens). ... 30 



12. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus (Linn.)). ... 31 



