322 
MR. J. HAMMOND ON FOOD OF BIRDS. 
number of insects, etc., were eaten, chiefly Staphylinid beetles 
and their larvae, Lepidopterous larvae, Weevils, Gastropods, 
Spiders and Dipterous larvae. In a bird from Hunstanton 
the remains of a crab were found. 
December. — Much seed corn (wheat) and husk was again 
taken during this month ; 89 per cent, of the birds contain- 
ing this material. It was found that the later sown corn was 
damaged most; when it grows beyond a certain stage 
(probably when all the endosperm has been used up) the birds 
do not interfere with it. Many insects, etc., were also taken; 
the most important of these were Carabid beetles, Weevils, 
Gastropods, Spiders and Dipterous larvae. 
January. — A smaller amount of corn was taken during this 
month, and some of the husk was probably from dung. 
Insects, etc., occurred in large numbers, the most important 
of which were Staphylinid and Carabid beetles, Ants, 
Click beetles, Weevils, Gastropods, Spiders and Mycetophilid, 
Stratiomyid and other Dipterous larvae. An unusual number 
of weed seeds were present ; this was probably due to the 
frosty weather, which seems to cause a very heterogeneous diet. 
At this time a few woodlice were taken ; this is interesting in 
connection with the observations of Newstead, who states 
that these were picked up but rejected by starlings. It 
appears from the present investigation that they are only 
eaten under stress of weather. 
Conclusions. — From the results of the investigation the 
number of each food article that would occur in ten average 
stomachs has been calculated. To quote a few — If ten 
average Starlings were cut open one would expect to find 
15| grains of wheat, 26^ Carabid beetles, 12 Leather jackets, 
17 Lepidopterous larvae, 57 Weevils and 48 Gastropods, as 
well as smaller numbers of many other things. Looked at 
in this way the Starling appears to be a beneficial bird on 
the whole, but we have yet to consider the question of 
