11 
Coleoptera. — In 80 cases beetles or their larvae were present; 
“ wireworms ” or their adults being found 19 times. 
Lepidoptera occurred in 14 cases, larvae were found in 
12 instances and scales and other remains of adults twice. 
Diptera occurred 56 times, all stages being represented, but 
the larval form (leather-jackets) of the crane flies were predomi- 
nant; they Avere found in 32 cases. 
Hymenop>tera were found on six occasions and included two 
wasx)s, one ant, and one ichneumon? 
Orthoptera occurred four times; earwigs were found four times; 
and a grasshopper once. 
Molluscs. — In nine cases molluscs were found, including two 
slugs. 
Vermes. — llemaiiis of earthworms, including their egg capsules, 
occurred in 46 instances; remains of an Oligochat once; in three 
gizzards Nematode Avorms. 
Myriapoda. — Centipedes and millipedes occurred fiA^e times. 
Arachnida. — Spiders occurred twice, and “ haiwestman ” 
(Phalangid) once. 
Other Animal Matter. — In one gizzard the remains of a shreAv 
Avas found, and in another case the bones of a frog, and in five 
cases portions of egg-shell (generally fowl’s) Avere found. Un- 
recognisable animal matter occurred once. 
Miscellaneous Food. 
In 15 instances meal and carrion occurred, and kitchen refuse 
Avas found in nine gizzards, and tliis included bits of bread three 
times, potato tAvice, portions of bone three times, and tea-leaA'es 
once. 
Cnrecognizable miscellaneous food occurred once. Sum- 
marising the 209 rooks examined, grain was in greatest abund- 
ance, it having been found in 73 per cent, of the gizzards, and 
in 57 cases in Avhich it occurred it formed 70 to 80 per cent, of 
llie food contents. Roots of value to the farmer (i.e., potatoes, 
mangolds, &c.) AA’ere found in 20 per cent, of the birds. 
Injurious insects occurred in 36 per cent, of the gizzards, the 
percentage for “ leather-jackets ” (Tipulidce) being 15 and 9 for 
“ AvireAA^orms ” or their imagos {Elateridcc) . At least tAvo 
instances in this inquiry shoAV in a very pronounced manner the 
number of injurious insects Avhich may be taken by a single 
rook in the course of a short time. Thus in one gizzard 95 whole 
'ripulid larvae (“ leather-jackets ”) were found, and as many as 
103 Elater larvae (“ Avireworms ”) Avere present in another; it is 
obvious therefore that these birds were rendering valuable service 
to the farmer. 
Table Xo. II. shoAvs the number of birds received each month 
and the percentage number of times the different food items are 
taken. It may here be mentioned that the prcentages of useful 
insects ” for March and April Avere comprised almost entirely of 
Car ah idee, • 
Grain was taken once from pheasant food ; in this case its occur- 
rence is included in Miscellaneous Vegetable Matter ” and not 
“ Grain ” as the bird Avas really doing no harm to the landowner. 
