the Rook, Starling and Chaffinch. 
3 ^ 
Specimens of chaffinches were received from 80 localities 
distributed over 23 counties in England, -and from 1 district 
in Wales, 4 in Scotland, and 4 in Ireland. 
Food of the Chaffinch. 
Hie insect food found was very scanty ; 69 Aphides were 
taken from the birds in 1912, including the Woolly Aphis, 
Apple Aphis (Aphis pomi), Plum Aphis (A. pruni), Currant 
Aphis (Myzus ribis), Bean Aphis (A. rumicis), Cabbage 
Aphis (A. brassicce ), and Rose Aphis (Macrosip hum rosce ), 
54 in 1913, and 52 in 1914, also 20 Aphis ova in 1913, and 2 in 
1914. A few Weevils seem to be eaten, including the Apple 
Blossom Weevil ( Anthonomus pomorum ) ; Otiorhynchus sp., 
Barynotus sp. ; Si tones and A pious, but in very small numbers, 
only 28 in 1912, 5 in 1913, and 2 from January to May in 
1914 being found. 
A few Mussel Scales (Lepidosaphces ulmi), Brown Scales 
(Lecanium persicce) and a few Ash and Willow Scales (Chionaspis 
salicis), 31 specimens in all being found in the 493 birds which 
contained any food. Winter Moth ( Cheimatobia brumata) 
larvae are eaten to some extent, 26 being found in 1912, 
but none in 1913 and 1914. A few Tortrix larvae also occurred 
in the first-named year. Thrips or Black Fly also seem to 
be taken, for 11 were found in 1912, and 8 in 1913. As many 
as 38 small Bibio larvae were found in 1912, but none since. 
The few other insects were Earwigs (12) ; Wireworms and 
Click Beetles (10) ; Flea Beetles (4) ; Codling Moth maggots 
(3) ; Yellow Springtails (Smynthurus luteus) 2 ; 6 beneficial 
Carabid larvae ; 12 larvae of Muscid type, and 5 Stratyomid 
larvae (Sargus ?). Mollusca were only found in April, 
May and October, 1912, and consisted of a single specimen of 
each of the following : Pyramidula rotundata, Hygromia 
hispida, H. rufescens, Helicella caperata, and Vallonia pulchella 
(3 specimens). 
The chief seeds devoured by the chaffinch were : — Charlock 
(Sinapis arvensis), (42-1912, 32-1913, 2-1914) ; Chickweed 
(Stellaria media) (58-1912, 27-1913, 10-1914) ; Knotgrass 
(Polygonum aviculare) (48-1912, 6-1914) ; Goosefoot (Cheno- 
podium) (32-1912, 12-1913, 7-1914) ; Campion (Silcne 
Cncubalus) (28-1912, 7-1913, 12-1914). The following also 
were found : Thistle (Cardans lanceolatus) 2 ; Wild Pea 
(Lathyrus) 3 ; Black Bindweed (Polygonum Convolvulus) 21 ; 
Speedwell (Veronica) 11 ; Spurrey (Spcrgula arvensis) 44 ; 
Groundsel 26 ; and a few Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris), 
Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex Acetosella), Milium (Milium effusum), 
Plantain (Plantago sp.), Ragwort (Senecio sp.), and Doves- 
foot (Geranium sp.). 
