324 
MR. J. HAMMOND ON FOOD OF BIRDS. 
addition of grain. Perhaps the easiest way to reduce their 
numbers would be by the use of poison ; this course seems 
open to the objection that the poison might be misused, but 
this ought not to occur if under proper control. 
LARK ( Alauda arvensis ). — The following is a description of 
the food taken each month : — 
February. — During this month 78 per cent, of the birds 
examined contained the leaves of some crop. The green 
parts of the leaf were eaten, and mostly, although not always 
the smaller leaves were found ; as far as could be seen the 
young shoots and stems were not taken. Weed seeds formed 
the bulk of the diet, and rarely an insect was taken. 
March. — Weed seeds of which Polygonum aviculare is by 
far the most important, formed the bulk of the diet. Corn 
in small quantities was taken from the spring sowings, and, as 
none had germinated, it was concluded that it was taken soon 
after sowing and had not been properly buried. Crop leaves 
(wheat, clover and rye grass) occurred in smaller quantities 
than in the preceding month. The insects eaten increased 
numbers — of these weevils were the most important. 
April — The greater part of the food consisted of weed 
seeds ; Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum Convolvulus, Stellaria 
media, and Poa annua were present in largest numbers. A 
little seed corn (barley) was also taken. Insects occurred in 
about the same numbers as in the preceding month. During 
the cold weather at the beginning of the month many pieces 
of crop leaves were taken. 
May. — Insects, mainly Lepidopterous larvae, Click beetles 
and Weevils, were taken in increasing numbers. The basis 
of the diet consisted of weed seeds ; the most important of 
these were Poa annua, Polygonum aviculare and Stellaria 
media. Some of the birds killed on spring sown corn 
contained “ small seeds,” both clover and rye grass. In view 
of the numbers eaten it appears that Larks are doing much 
damage in these localities. 
