10 
J )ecemher . — The number of birds received was thirteen, and 
generally speaking the gizzards of nine were full, three were half 
full, and one nearly empty. The contents as follows: — 
Lepidoptera. — Three Noctuid larvse (one Xylophasia sp.), two 
Apaiiiea sp. ; unrecognisable remains of five Noctuid larvie. 
Coleoptera. — Three larvie of ground beetles (one Carabus sp. 
and two Philuiifhus sp.) ; two ground beetles {Caralnis sp.) ; one 
larva and one adult cock-chafer {Melolontha wlgaris, Linn.) ; 15T 
wire-worms ” (152 Agnates sp., three Atlious hcenwrrlionclalis, 
Tabr., and two sp. ?) ; three “click beetles” (Agriofes hneatvs, 
Linn.); remains of two “pill beetles” {Cytilus varlus, Fabr.). 
Diptera. — Ninety-five larvae of crane-fly, probably Tipula 
oleracea, Linn, and remains of three or four of same; two larvae 
(Anthomyia sp.), five larvie (J^eptis sp.), 155 larvie of Muscid 
ty})e, and sixteen larvae (probably Mvscid(e). 
One centipede (GeophiUis sp.), two Nematode Avorms, one 
cocoon of earth Avorm (Lumbricus sp.), and setae of the same, 
pieces of meat, number of fragments of egg-shell (foAvTs), bread, 
two tea leaA^es and one feather (rook’s). 
Wheat, oats, much barley, maize, many pieces of acorn and 
potato, portion of one seed of holly (Ilex), one seed (similar to 
Cotoneaster), a feAv pieces of a stem (sp. ?), and one blade of 
grass. 
In the folloAving notes the nature of the food of rooks under 
different headings has been summarised. 
Vegetable Food. 
Grain. — The greater part of the food here recorded consisted of 
grain, Avhich was found in 157 cases. Oats Avere in greatest 
abundance and Avere recorded in 98 instances ; barley occurred 
55 times, wheat 28 times, and maize was found in 11 cases. 
Seeds other than Grain. — Seeds occurred in only 13 cases; in 
six there were portions of bean ; seeds of ash Avere present once ; 
seed of Ruppia sp. once; seed of chaiTock once; a single instance 
of a ranunculaceous weed seed; one case of a single holly and 
Cotoneaster? seed in the same gizzard; and there Avere tAvo cases 
of seed the identification of Avhich was impossible. 
Fruit. — -Ilemains of fruit were found in 33 cases, and this 
consisted almost entirely of acorns ; portions of acorns occurred 
in 31 instances and walnut once. In one gizzard part of a small 
unripe fruit (probably Eosacaeus) Avas present. 
Roots. — Loots occurred in 63 gizzards. Potato Avas in greatest 
abundance, it having been found in 43 cases; turnip occurred 
seven times; mangolds twice; soav thistle tAvice; grass roots tAvice ; 
a root, wliich Avas probabl,y Avild carrot, once ; and earth nut once. 
In six gizzards unrecognisable roots Avere present. 
Herbage. — Pieces of grass occurred 29 times, but in some cases 
tliere Avas only a blade or Iavo ; cloA'er leaves Avere found once. 
Miscellaneo^is Vegetable Matter. — Vegetable matter, Avhich 
could not be identified, occurred in 27 cases. 
Animal Food. 
Insects. — The greater portion of the animal food consisted of 
insects, which AA ere recorded in 105 cases. 
