FOOD, HABITS, ETC. 99 
and even the Coyote, will feast on them. Very 
many birds besides the Thrushes! partake of Land 
Snails; while Sea-Gulls and other sea-birds, with 
Crows, will forage at low water for the marine kinds; 
and sometimes, carrying them inland to devour, will 
drop the shells in places where they may well puzzle 
future geologists by their presence. Swans, Ducks, 
Geese, and other water-birds feed on freshwater 
Mollusca, especially the young ones. Slow-worms 
are very fond of Slugs; Frogs and Toads less so; 
Newts will take freshwater Snails. Fish, especially 
marine ones, consume large quantities. The Cod, 
Gurnard, Wolf-fish, even the Mullet and Sole, to 
name a few, make their diet off Bivalves; while the 
Conger will attack and devour the Octopus. 
Among invertebrates their worst enemies are their 
own kindred, as already noted. Crabs will break 
open the shells of young Oysters to get the animal 
within. Certain insects seem to select Snails for 
their victims. The female Glow-worm (Lampyris 
noctiluca) attacks and kills Helix nemoralis. Staphy- 
linus olens has been seen to set upon and kill the 
Heath Snail (Helicella itala); and the larva of 
another Beetle, Dvillus flavescens, will even assault a 
land operculate (Pomatias), watching till the Snail 
begins to issue forth, and then with its strong jaws 
1 Though Blackbirds are commonly credited with also 
eating Snails, it is very doubtful if they really do, especially the 
larger kinds. 
