344 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
informs us regarding the ravages of two species of beetles that out of three 
hundred and fifty trees cut upon the estate, one hundred and twenty were 
dead, or at least gone in the top, owing, he believes, entirely to their 
ravages. Can anyone in the same way produce appreciable proofs of 
damage which can be laid correctly to the charge of the Capercaillie, and if 
so to what extent? What amount of good can be traced to the destruction 
of insect life by the Capercaillie? How long does the insect-feeding age of 
the birds continue? What insects or larve, and what amount of them, do 
the young Capercaillies consume? Do the old birds never eat insects, 
beetles, or larvee of any kind? To solve these and other minor questions 
the crops and gizzards of both young and old birds should be examined 
with the critical eye of the entomologist, and exact statistics of the contents 
of each crop and gizzard noted down under each separate specimen, with 
the dates and localities, and when possible the probable or exact age of the 
bird. Birds from a day or two old up to the adult stage should be critically 
examined during the summer and early autumn months. Special attention 
should be paid to the presence of larve in the mouths, throats, and crops 
of young birds as soon after death as possible, or even of living young birds. 
Positive identification of the insects is of the highest importance, and the 
number of individuals should be carefully counted. Where personal ento- 
mological examination is practicable of the crops and gizzards of newly 
killed birds, such should be taken advantage of. Where personal entomo- 
logical examination cannot be instituted, the crops and gizzards of each 
bird should be kept separately in close muslin bags, with parchment labels 
attached, and the whole dropped into alchohol: an ordinary wide-mouthed 
pickle-jar would probably hold three or four crops and gizzards, or more if 
the birds be young. The jars can then be forwarded to entomologists 
for identification of the contents. Dr. Buchanan White, of Perth, has 
promised assistance in the identification of insects. Mr. Robert Collet, of 
Christiania, who takes a great interest in the matter, will also devote some 
share of attention to it in Norway. Mr. Maloch, Perth, has promised to 
preserve any crops and gizzards that come in his way. Capt. Colquhoun, 
of Clathick, has offered assistance; and Mr, Maclellan, Superintendent 
of Parks, Glasgow, has also taken an interest in the subject. There is still 
a considerable degree of scepticism evinced by many as to the utility of 
such enquiries; unthinkingly they often pooh! pooh! the efforts of 
naturalists to get at the more minute truths, which do not always appear 
on the surface, but upon which not uncommonly the whole question at issue 
hinges. Investigations often begin in ignorance, and from a spirit of 
enquiry develop truths of considerable interest. Men are not all Argus-eyed 
naturalists, who can detect at once, at all times, and under all circumstances, 
the reasons for everything. If such were indeed the case Natural History 
would be robbed of half its charms,” 
as 
