36 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



during each month of the year. These stomachs and 

 their contents had been prepared and exhibited at 

 the Exhibition of 1862, by M. Florent Prevost, with 

 the object of showing the incalculable benefit ren- 

 dered to man by birds, in devouring those creatures 

 which destroy or damage his crops. This paper 

 may, I am sure, be read with advantage by game- 

 keepers and gardeners, as well as by the promoters 

 of clubs for the destruction of small birds. On the 

 food of the species now under consideration, M. Pre- 

 vost says : " January, mice ; February, the same ; 

 March, the same; April, cockchaffers ; May, rats, 

 squirrels and cockchaffers ; June, meal-worms, 

 beetles and shrew-mice ; July, mice, ground and 

 other beetles ; August, shrew and other mice ; 

 September, mice ; October, the same ; November, 

 the same." To all M. Prevost's monthly lists addi- 

 tions may no doubt be made, though no subtrac- 

 tions, as all the contents of the stomachs mentioned 

 were proved by dissection. To the present list may 

 be added small birds, which it is said to obtain by 

 taking them off their roost.* 



The old nest of a Magpie or of a Crow is the 

 situation generally selected for the nest of this bird.f 

 Yarrell says the old drey of a squirrel is occa- 

 sionally chosen. 



* Yarrell, vol. i., p. 132. 



f ' Magazine of Zoology,' vol. ii., p. 389. 



