o 
of most of tlie birds from the other localities during’ llie aiilumil, 
>vinter, and spring months, the same thing would he likely to 
apply to the localities in VVarwickshire and Pembrokeshire, and 
that it could therefore be said, with more or less accuracy, 
Avhether the birds were on the whole doing more harm than good 
or vice versa to the farmer during the whole year. The environ- 
mental conditions, however, might, and probably would, vary in 
diiferent counties, and it would therefore be unsafe to adopt the 
above method. It appears that the only satisfactory way of 
obtaining an estimate of the rook’s economic j)osition is, 
firstly, by having an even supply of birds each month from the 
same and as many localities as possible ; when this has been done 
the results obtained can be compared, and after taking into con- 
sideration certain other questions such as the available food 
supplies in each district, and migration, it would, no doubt, be 
possible to arrive at a fairly reliable conclusion of the general 
effect which the rook may have on agricultural interests in the 
counties investigated. 
The following is a monthly register in which I have given a 
complete statement of the food in the stomach each month : — • 
January . — The number of birds received was 41; of these, the 
gizzards of 21 were full, five were three-quarters full, 11 about 
half full, one almost empty, and three empty. The contents of 
the gizzards were as follows : — 
Two dor beetles {Geotrupes stercorarius , Fabr.), and fragments 
of one dor beetle (Geofru pe,s sp.), fragments of one ground beetle 
{Carabwi sp.), five “ wireworms ” (four Atlious hcemorrhoidalis, 
Fabr., and one Agviotes sp.) ; two larva; of rove beetles 
{Xantholinus sp.). 
One larva of crane-fly {Tipula sp.) one larva of a fungus-gnat 
{Mycetophilidce), one larva of Muscid type, one small Dipterious 
pupa. 
One slug, probably Agrioliinao! agrestis, Linn., also remains 
of shell of a “ top shell ” (7'ro('hus sp.). Twenty-four egg cap- 
sules of earthworm (Lumhricus sp.), bits of meat (apparenily 
beef), bread and bones, portions of egg-shell, some unrecognisnble 
animal matter. Much wheat (some sprouting), oats, black oats, 
much barley; maize; fragments of many acorns (Quercus rohvr, 
Linn.); fragments of seven seeds of ash {Fraxinus excelsior, 
Linn.); one seed of charlock (Brassica sinapis, Linn.), two 
unrecognisable seeds, many fragments of mangold, a quantity 
of potato fragments, roots of sow thistle (Sonchvs arvensis, Linn.), 
many fragments of a root which appeared lo be turnip, some 
fragments of unrecognisable root and miscellaneous vegetable 
matter; some grit and earth. 
Febnmry. -The number of birds received was 17, and gene- 
rally speaking, the gizzards of 11 were full, five Avere three- 
quarters full, and one was enqity. The contents as follows : — 
Two larva; of ground beetles (Amara sp.), remains of. one ear- 
wig (Forficula sp.), portion of one earthworm (Lvvihricvs sp.), 
including many setio, bits of meat and fat. 
Much grain, including wheat, oats, barley, many fragments of 
a(;orns (Quercus robur. Linn.), turnij) fragments, bits of bean, 
portion of decaying potato, some blades of grass ; some earth and 
grit. 
