MISCELLANEOUS 65 



April. Number of birds received 27. The food contents were as 

 follow : 



Remains and large number of weevils (Barynotus obscurus, Fab., 

 Otiorhynchus sulcatus, Fab., Alophus triguttatus, Fab.), 6 click beetles 

 (Agriotes lineata, Linn.), 18 slugs (Arion hortensis, Fer.), few cocoons 

 of earthworm. 



May. Twenty-six birds received during the month. The food 

 contents were as follows : 



FIG. 15. THE STARLING. 



Numerous dung beetles and weevils, 18 wireworms, remains of 

 beetle larvae, remains of many lepidopterous larvae, 20 millipedes, 16 

 slugs (Agriolimax agrestis, Linn.), few blades of grass. 



June. Twenty-seven birds received. The food contents were as 

 follows : 



Many beetle larvae and dung beetles, few weevils, 19 smaller 

 June bugs (Phyllopertha horticola, Linn.), 186 lepidopterous larvae 

 (Agrotis, sp.), 4 millipedes (lules pulchellus, Koch.), and remains of 

 slugs. 



SUMMARY. 



From the above evidence obtained from 146 starlings we may state 

 that the food of these birds during the first six months of the year 



G 



