66 The Food of Some British Wild Birds. 



Examination of Pellets. 



Newstead (92) examined fifty-seven pellets, which contained 

 remains of 62 voles, 1 bird, and 5 indifferent insects. 



Adams (1) states: "The analysis of the kestrels' pellets like- 

 wise determines its usual food. . . . Most of those that have 

 come under my personal notice have been composed entirely of the 

 wing-cases of all sorts of beetles and the wings of flies, and some- 

 times the remains of a small vole or mouse, but I have never dis- 

 covered the remains of birds or rabbits.'' 



Field Observations. 



I have frequently seen this bird carry off sparrows and young 

 blackbirds. 



Conclusion. 



The benefits this 'bird confers on agriculture, far outweigh the 

 harm it does by its occasional and brief havoc amongst young game. 



SPARROW HAWK. 



Accipiter nisus (Linn.) 



The sparrow hawk is undoubtedly too fond of game and poultry 

 to merit protection, nevertheless, it destroys a considerable number 

 of wood-pigeons, blackbirds, sparrows and mice, in addition to 

 numerous insects. 



Newstead (92) examined twelve specimens, and summarises the 

 food contents as follows: "1 contained insects of the indifferent 

 group; 11, birds; 1, frogs." 



I have made post-mortems of six specimens, all of which con- 

 tained remains of wild birds, most of which were blackbirds. 



Conclusion. 



I should not advocate any protection for this bird. 



WOOD PIGEON. 



Columba palumbus, Linn. 



Some years ago, in a note on the food of this bird, which 

 appeared in the Field, an anonymous writer described it as being 

 "devoid of a single redeeming quality." For purposes of sport 

 and food, however, they may be regarded as of some use, but from 

 the standpoint of the farmer they are "wholly destructive and 

 useless" (Newstead). 



Gilmour (54) referring to the following table of injuries and 



