3l6 MAINE AGRICULTURAL KXPERIMENT STATION. I913. 



contents of this bird a bright glimmer of metal was noticed. 

 The whole gizzard contents were then examined and found to 

 contain fourteen aluminum leg bands or pieces of leg bands. A 

 photograph of these is shown in Figure 149. They are in 

 varying stages of dissolution and it is not possible to tell accu- 



Fig. 149. Partly digested bands and snips from gizzard of B. P. R. ?. 



rately how many bands the bird had swallowed, as it is probable 

 that in some cases two or more of the pieces are from the same 

 band. Some of the fragments are undoubtedly snips. The 

 number swallowed may be conservatively estimated as four 

 bands and six snips. One band is still all together but is nearly 

 separated at one point. Other pieces are very small and thin. 

 Some have holes through them. The dissolution has evidently 

 been accomplished by a combination of the mechanical grinding 

 of the gizzard and the action of the hydrochloric acid of the 

 gastric juice. The outer surfaces of the bands are covered with 

 fine scratches while the inner surfaces show fewer scratches 

 and more evidence of solution. After careful cleaning this 

 entire collection of bands weighed o.8=;7 grams. The mean 



