List of Birds Examined. 



47 



Field Observations. 



I have frequently observed this bird eating slugs and the 

 larvae of Crane Flies, on the other hand I have seen it do con- 

 siderable damage to newly-sown wheat. In this connection I would 

 refer to the observation of a correspondent, Mr. R. C. Thomas, of 

 Bloxwich, who, in November last, forwarded a bird to me which 

 contained : 37 grains of wheat and many bits of grains, remains of 

 three earthworms, remains of one beetle, and a little grit. He 

 writes : " The field of wheat from which the bird was shot, has been 

 visited by great numbers of starlings, and I think I shall be well 

 within the mark in estimating the flock at times, at 100,000 units ; 

 now, if each bird took 37 grains in one day, they would practically 

 take the seed sown on 2 acres of land. I am quite sure if they were 

 allowed, they would soon ruin the field of wheat in question, and I 

 am afraid they have done a considerable amount of damage, not- 

 withstanding care exercised to keep them away." 



Another correspondent, writing from North Wales, writes : 

 "What is the best means of getting rid of a plague of starlings'? 

 Perhaps you can hardly believe it, but thousands have come very 

 suddenly to roost in my shrubbery, not only disfiguring the shrubs 

 (some being valuable ones), but actually breaking large branches 

 by their weight." 



Food of Nestlings. 



The food contents of the stomachs of ninety-four nestling birds 

 has recently been set forth (34), as also some observations on the 

 food brought to the nest by the parent birds. As these records are 

 of importance, they may be conveniently repeated here. 



