THE FARMER'S FRIENDS. 
223 
the smaller branches and twigs, prying anxiously into each 
crevice and fold of the rind, in search of eggs, hibernating larvae, 
or perfect insects. Their sight is so keen that they can detect 
such small eggs as those of the winter moth, and they have been 
seen actively devouring the minute red eggs of the bryobia upon 
the stems and branches of gooseberry bushes and damson trees. 
It is sometimes alleged that the tits, like the sparrows, pick out 
the buds of trees and shrubs, either wantonly or for food, but 
this accusation is wrong and based upon insufficient investi- 
gation of the circumstances, as titmice attack only buds that 
are infested, for example, apple, pear and plum, and damson 
buds, infested with the larvae of the winter moth, or the larvae 
of the apple blossom weevil.” 
Dealing specifically with the long tailed tit — the bird which 
builds that wonderful and beautiful nest shaped like a bottle, 
decorated externally with lichens and spider webs, and lined 
internally with thousands of warm feathers — the testimony of 
Brocchi is quoted, how in France these birds feed entirely on 
insects, and that it and all species of tits have a right to the 
protection of agriculturists to whom they render important 
services. He — Brocchi — estimates the annual consumption by 
each of these birds at nearly 200,000 insects in the form of eggs 
and larv’ae, and remarks that when they attack the buds of fruit 
trees, an offence with which they are sometimes charged, it is 
certain that there are insects within those buds. 
The lapwing, or peewit, is a bird which is rapidly decreasing 
in numbers, by reason of its being destroyed not only in the 
adult stage, but in the egg, thousands of which are gathered 
annually and sold as plovers’ eggs, and unless some steps are 
soon taken to check this wholesale destruction, the farmer will 
lose a most valuable assistant. 
“No other bird is so beneficial to cultivators as the lapwing. 
It devours snails, wire-worms, beetles, aphides, the larvae of 
various insects that infest grass, turnips, wheat and other crops, 
and other pests. As it feeds in the evening it has opportunities 
of getting at many insects which commit their depredations 
after sundown. On account of their insectivorous habits peewits 
are sometimes kept in gardens where their valuable services 
are highly appreciated.” 
Perhaps the Board of Agriculture have never done the farmer 
better service than by publishing these leaflets. They have in 
the past taken great pains to enable him to identify the various 
insects which do him damage, but man unaided is nearly power- 
less against these minute enemies. They have now pointed out 
to him the fact that the birds are his faithful servants in this 
respect, and these leaflets ought to be read by every agriculturist 
and gamekeeper in the country. Selbornians should make an 
effort to spread them far and wide. They can be obtained from 
the Board of Agriculture, Whitehall Place, S.W., free of charge, 
post free, and the letter applying for them need not be stamped. 
Fred. W. Ashley. 
