1922.] 



Feeding Habits of the Little Owl. 



1135 



portion in August (87.85 per cent.). The seasonal variation, 

 however, in diet was much less than in the case of most land 

 birds. (See table p. 1134.) 



Mammals. — Remains of mammals were found during each month, and in 

 126 stomachs. The highest percentage occurred in November (50*72 percent.) 

 and the lowest percentage in July (19*29 per cent). The long-tailed Field 

 Mouse {Apodemus sylvaticus) was by far the commonest species met with, 

 remains being present in no less than 86 stomachs. Remains of the Short- 

 tailed Field Mouse (Microtus hirtus) were found in 50 stomachs, the House 

 Mouse (Mus mustculus) in 9 stomachs, the Brown Rat {Epimys norvegicus) 

 in 3, the Red or Bank Vole {Evotomys glareolus) in 2, the Common Shrew 

 (Sorex araneus) in 3, and the Mole (Talpa europaea) in 4. 



Birds. — Remains of wild birds were found in 35 stomachs. The total 

 average percentage of wild birds is 4*45 per cent., and of game birds *51 per 

 cent. The highest percentage was found in March (9*28 per cent.) and the 

 lowest in December (2.67 per cent.). The percentages for the different species 

 are as follows : — 



House Sparrow ... ... ... 2*Q£L per cent. 



Starling 2*04 „ 



Missel Thrush *12 „ 



Blackbird *07 



Wood Pigeon *09 „ 



Game Birds ... ... ... ... *51 ,, 



Miscellaneous... ... ... ... *04 „ 



Reptiles and Amphibians. — Remains of the Common Frog (Bana temporaria) 

 were found in two stomachs. 



Insects. — Insect food constitutes 49*24 per cent, of the total bulk of food 

 for the year and occurred in 179 stomachs. Examined month by month, the 

 maximum quantity is seen to be taken in July, viz., 57 86 per cent. In 

 August it falls to 39*56 per cent., the lowest for any month in the year. 



An analysis of the insect food presents many points of interest. Firstly, 

 of the total average percentage 30*62 per cent, consists of injurious insects 

 and their larvae, *99 per cent, of beneficial insects and 17*63 per cent, of 

 neutral insects and their larvae. Wireworms and click beetles constitute 

 16*88 per cent., and are present in all the months of the year. The highest 

 percentage is in March (30*00 per cent.) and the lowest in August 6*57. 

 Weevils or snout beetles form 9*96 per cent, of the total food contents and 

 are taken in the greatest quantity in May (19*59 per cent.), and in 

 the smallest quantity in November (2*50 per cent.). Of the neutral insects 

 the bulk consists of Dung Beetles ^Geotrupes). 



Molluscs. — Remains of the Grey Field Slug [Agriolimax agrestis, L.) were 

 found in a stomach in October. This was the only mollusc observed. 



Crustacea. — The only traces of Crustacea were those of woodlice, remains 

 of Porcellio scaber being found in three stomachs and Oniscus asellus in one. 



Annelida. — The only annelids that could be identified were earthworms 

 The total average was 7*83 per cent. The highest monthly was 13*2Q 

 per cent, in April and the lowest 3*61 in January. 



