MR. J. HAMMOND ON FOOD OF BIRDS. 
3-J5 
June. — The diet consisted for the most part of weed seeds 
and injurious insects. The food of the young was almost 
entirely of insects ; this was particularly evident as the old 
birds nearly always contained weed seeds. It is interesting 
to note that the turnip flea beetle ( Haltica nemorum) was 
taken in numbers on several occasions by birds frequenting 
root fields. 
July. — The food again consisted for the most part of weed 
seeds and injurious insects. Of the former Papaver Rhoeas 
and Polygonum aviculare were the most important, while of 
the latter Aphids, Pegomyia betae larvse and Weevils occurred 
in greatest numbers. In conjunction with the Pegomyia 
larvae mangold leaf was often taken. 
August — Weed seeds occurred in large numbers, the most 
important being Papaver Rhoeas and Polygonum aviculare. 
Insects occurred in smaller numbers, Halticid beetles being 
most plentiful. Much corn (wheat, barley and oats) was 
taken from the stubbles after harvest 
September. — The food consisted almost entirely of weed 
seeds and Aphids. The latter, owing to the dry season, 
existed in large numbers on the swedes and had been eaten 
by birds which had been killed in these localities. Of the 
weed seeds Polygonum aviculare and Lychnis occurred in 
large numbers. Some corn was also taken from the stubbles. 
October. — Weed seeds formed the bulk of the diet; those 
occurring in greatest number were Papaver Rhoeas and 
Polygonum aviculare. Insects formed the remainder of the 
diet; of these Weevils and Dipterous pupie were the most 
important. 
November. — Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum Convolvulus, 
and Chenopodium album were the most important weed 
seeds that occurred this month. These, with a few grains 
of wheat from the autumn sowings and an occasional 
Dipterous pupa made up the diet. A number of clover seeds 
were found in birds which were killed on wheat, an adjoin- 
