88 Insect Life : Its Why and Wherefore 
little larvae prefer well-tilled ground to 
that which is neglected and hard. The 
more it has been ploughed or dug, so much 
the more easily can he pursue his course 
of ravage and destruction. Many almost 
laughable suggestions have been made by 
agricultural authorities, such as shaking 
the cockchafer off bushes and trees and 
picking them off where seen and destroying 
them. As the cockchafer is particularly 
fond of elms and beeches, and generally 
in the day time is found on the underside 
leaves, not to mention the prodigious 
numbers of these insects, the suggested 
remedy is nothing if not puerile. 
Food for Birds, Etc. — A county club 
which has been formed in one part for the 
destruction of starlings and crows will help 
on the cockchafer community immensely. 
Huge numbers of the larvae are destroyed 
every day by these birds, especially by 
crows, which are ruthlessly shot in many 
districts because of “ the harm they 
do.” The mature insect itself is much 
sought after by some birds, and it may 
have escaped the notice of readers that dur- 
ing the month of May, when the cockchafer 
