386 RECREATIONS OF A NATURALIST 



rooks and starlings should not overlook the good 

 service which they render by ridding the land of 

 Mole Crickets, Wireworms, the larvae of Cockchafers 

 and Craneflies, as well as couch grass, the succulent 

 roots of which are constantly being torn up and 

 devoured by rooks, as proved by the fragments 

 found in the pellets which they eject of the 

 indigestible portions of their food. 



The accompanying figure of the Mole Cricket at 

 rest is reproduced from a woodcut which illustrates 

 Gilbert White's remarks on this insect in the edition 

 of his work by the Rev. Leonard Jenyns. The second 

 figure is from Cassell's Natural History, edited 

 by the late Prof. Martin Duncan (vol. vi. p. 124), 

 where a brief account by the late W. S. Dallas of 

 the more important peculiarities of its structure 

 may be found. 



