68 



The Food of Some British Wild Birds. 



NEUTRAL. 



Seeds of 



Charlock (Sinaspis arvensis, L.) ... 

 Chickweed (Stellaria media, L.) ... 

 Goosegrase (Potentilla anserina, L.) 

 Buttercup (Ranunculus repens, L.) 

 Curled Dock (Rumex crispus, L.) 

 Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare, 

 L.) 



Leaves of 



Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus 

 ficaria, L.) 



Fruits of 



Spurrey (Spergula arvensis, L.) ... 



Beech Nuts 



Holly berries 



Miscellaneous vegetable matter, un- 

 identifiable 



33 

 9 

 3 



8 



7 



7 

 15 



7 



796 

 215 

 42 

 124 

 107 



19 



300? 



Examination of Faeces. 



A careful examination of large quantities of the faeces shows 

 that many injurious weeds, such as charlock, dock, goosegrass, 

 knotgrass, etc., are distributed by this species. 



Conclusion. 



There are no extenuating circumstances that lead me to alter 

 the opinion formed many years back, that no quarter should be 

 shown to this bird, and that every means should be taken to destroy 

 it. 



STOCKDOVE. 



Columba oenas. Linn. 



The feeding habits and food of this bird are very similar to 

 those of the wood-pigeon, and practically all who have studied the 

 bird condemn it. 



In the thirty-four specimens examined by me, I could detect no 

 difference in the nature of the food from that of the wood-pigeon, 

 grain, clover, swede and turnip leaves, beans and peas, being in 

 about the same proportions. 



