168 PROTECTION AGAINST INSFXTS. 



Among liaptorcs, all owls except the eagle-owl {Bnho k/navus, 

 Foster). Gulls; the black-headed gull {L(triis ribihundiis, L.)- 

 This latter frequently follows the plough, and destroys cock- 

 chafer grubs and wire-worms. The cuckoo is exceptional 

 among the above birds for its power of eating hairy caterpillars, 

 which other birds reject. Altum found the remains of 97 young 

 Cncthocampa larvae inside a cuckoo. 



Of owls, the long-eared owl {Asio otus, L.) and the tawny 

 owl {Sijrnium abico, Boie) are the most useful against insects. 



The following birds merit conditional protection : — 



Passcres : finches {Fringillidae) ; larks {Alaudidae} ; thrushes 

 {Turdidae) ; the jackdaw {Conns monedula, L.) ; the common 

 and hooded crows (C corone, Lath., and C. comix, L.) ; the 

 rook {C.fru[iile[ius, L.). 



The above-mentioned passerine birds do damage in various 

 ways, chiefly as grain-eaters, but are also useful in destroying 

 insects. Where the damage predominates, they must be kept 

 down. Thrushes and blackbirds hunt in the forest for iusect 

 larvae and pupae, and distribute the seeds of useful shrubs an^l 

 trees. 



Raptorcs : the honey-buzzard (Peniis <q)i corns, Gray) ; 

 common buzzard {Bnteo luhjaris. Leach) ; the kestrel (Fah-o 

 tinnuncuhis, L.) hunts crickets and cockchafers, it does no 

 harm to game. 



Limicolae : woodcock' (Scolopacc rusticola, L.) ; snipe {(Jal- 

 linago) ; golden plover {Charadrhis phivialis, L.) ; lapwing 

 {Vanellus vulgaris, Bechst.). 



The lapwing destroys large numbers of wire-worms and 

 beetles, aphidae, and the larvae of numerous insects feeding on 

 crops. Unfortunately the search for their eggs is very 

 persistent. 



The following birds do indirect damage, by killing useful 

 birds or eating their eggs : — 



Passeres : shrikes {Lanius, L.) ; jay {Garridiis ylandarius, 

 L.) ; magpie ( Pica rustica, Scop.) ; raven {Covins corax, L.). 



liaptorcs : All species except those already mentioned. 



It should be noted that shrikes kill mice and insects as well 

 as small birds. 



The mere protection of birds useful to forests is not suthcient ; 



