l6 6 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



There is no uncertainty about the meaning here. The figures 

 as given by himself condemn him. The root crops stand entirely 

 against him ; amongst the leaves, the clovers accuse him most 

 strongly, and in the case of cereal grains no extenuation whatever 

 for his outrage is offered. Though grain be left entirely out of 

 court, the Wood- Pigeon stands utterly condemned by the 

 heavy black score still standing against him for root-crop and 

 clover-leaf consumption." 



The next table shows the foods most sought after, which 

 brings out very forcibly that the Wood-Pigeon loves the tenderly- 

 nurtured crop-plant, and for the most part disdains the humble 

 weed. From the figures we see clearly that barley and clover 

 must, above all else, be guarded against ravage. The following 

 table shows at glance the food consumed each month : — 





g 



2 



ft 



< 



>> 



o 



1-5 



1-3 



bt 



p 



< 



ft 



O 



o 



Sh' 



3 



G 



n 



(3 



* 3 



as o 



Roots 



5 







0- 



2 























7 



7 



10 31 



Leaves 



21 



1 



4 



10 



24 



7 



4 











3 



19 



10 103 



Flowers 



2 







12 



6 



8 



1 























29 



Cereal Grain 



G 



21 



6 



1 







22 



20 



26 



11 



9 







1 123 



Other fruits and seeds 



5 



6 



8 



20 



13 



5 



5 



8 



14 



3 



1 



88 



Thus we see that the Wood-Pigeon has very definite runs on food 

 — in March, he goes for clover; in April, he is after grain; in 

 May, he seeks the flowers of trees ; in June, he preys on various 

 plants — on any suitable crop plant he can find ; in July, he makes 

 another raid on clover ; during August, September, October, Nov- 

 ember and December, he uses grain ; in January and February, 

 he is on root crops ; and in March he is again in full swing with 

 the clovers 



I wish there was time to give you the details of each Wood- 

 Pigeon that was killed, which occupies 28 pages of the Report. 

 Some of the figures are astonishing — one bird contained jj beans; 

 another a full /wo ounces of barley ; another 102 beech nuts and 



