10 



of three Blue Tits (Nos. 116, 117, 121) ; but, unfortunately, 

 these birds were at the same time guilty of injuring pears. 



Plant Lice (Aphides). — These occurrred in eight of the post- 

 mortem examinations ; and some of the specimens were 

 referable to the genus Lachnus. 



Scale Insects (Coccidce). — One finds from long and continued 

 observation in the field that immense numbers of these insects are 

 eaten by the various members of the family Paridse or Tits. 

 Everywhere in the late autumn and winter the colonies of these 

 insects found infesting ash, apple, and other trees are attacked by 

 these birds, and in some instances from 50 to 70 per cent, are 

 destroyed. The post-mortem records, of which there are no 

 less than nineteen, also afford abundant proof that great 

 numbers of scale insects are eaten by Tits. The species which 

 are usually taken are the Ash-bark Scale (Chionaspis salicis), 

 the Mussel Scale (Mytilaspis pomorum), and the Pit-making 

 Oak Scale {Aster olecanium quercicola* Bouche). See also Field 

 Notes, No. 125. 



Caddis-Flies, Dragon Flies (Neuroptera). 

 There are a few records of Caddis-worms (Phryganeidae) , 

 all of which were found in the stomachs of aquatic birds : the 

 Dipper, Sandpipers, Water Rail, and Grebe. There is but one 

 record of a Dragon Fly (No. 328) ; and it is very doubtful if 

 these predaceous insects are eaten to any great extent. 



Earwigs (Orthoptera). 

 Although so extremely numerous, the common earwig (For- 

 ficula auricularia) does not appear to be eaten generally in large 

 numbers, though the Green Woodpecker (No. 431) and the 

 Whimbrel (No. 806) contained many examples. These insects 

 were found in the stomachs of twelve birds, of which the 

 following is a list : — Thrush, Whinchat, Redbreast, Great Tit, 

 Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Starling and Woodcock, in addition to 

 the two species to which reference has already been made. 



Animals other than Insects. 

 Spiders and their Allies (Acarina). — These animals occurred in 

 very few instances and never in any great numbers. It would 



* I have decided to retain Bouche's name and sink Ratzeburg's variolosiim as a 

 synonym. — R.N. 



