SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS IN BIRDS. 189 
“cock of the other strain, has given a. certain number of chicks with 
extra-toe of the type belonging to her own strain of extra-toe. The 
experiment is still in progress. 
SS aaaaaaaSSsSS SS 
Feeding Habits of British: Birds.—Fourth Report of the Com- 
_ mittee, consisting of Dr. A. E. Suipuey (Chairman), Mr. 
H. 8. Leicn (Secretary), Professors G. H. CARPENTER, F. W. 
GAMBLE, S. J. Hickson, J. ARTHUR THOMSON, and F. E. 
Wetss, Dr. C. Gorpon HEwItT, and Messrs. J. N. HALBERT, 
RoBERT NEWSTEAD, CLEMENT RerD, A. G. L. RoGers, and 
F. V. THEOBALD, appointed to investigate the Feeding Habits 
of British. Birds by a study of the contents of the crops and 
gizzards of both adults and nestlings, and by collation of 
observational evidence, with the object of obtaining precise 
knowledge of the economic status of many of our commoner 
birds affecting rural science. 
Tue investigation of the feeding habits of the rook, starling, and chaf- 
finch has been continued during the past year. 
The progress of the work has been very much hindered owing to the 
fact that great uncertainties with regard to the financial and other 
arrangements have recently existed. No fresh birds were received. 
Some of the results obtained from the examination of the contents of 
1,062 crops (218 rooks, 487 starlings, and 357 chaffinches) received in 
previous years are now being arranged and tabulated for the publication 
of an interim report, and it is hoped this will soon be ready. In future 
the work of examining the crop-contents will be divided between the 
South-Eastern Agricultural College at Wye and the Victoria University 
of Manchester, and a grant of money has now been definitely promised 
from the Development Commissioners to enable this work to continue. 
It has been decided that only England and Wales shall be included 
in the: new scheme, and that the Agricultural College at Wye shall 
receive. birds obtained from correspondents in the southern, south- 
eastern, and south-midland counties, and Manchester University shall 
receive birds from the northern, north-western (including Wales), and 
north-midland counties. The work of obtaining fresh correspondents 
will now be undertaken by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 
The Zoology of the Sandwich Islands.—Twenty-second Report 
of the Committee, consisting of Dr. F. Du Canz GopMAN 
(Chairman), Mr. D. Suarp (Secretary), Professor S. J. 
Hickson, Dr. P. L. Sciarer, and Mr. Epacar A. Sir. 
THE completion of the ‘ Fauna Hawaiiensis ’ (which work is the true 
report of this Committee) is now in the press, and the preface thereof 
summarises the operations of the Committee. 
