36 
Report on the Food Found in 
but in both years one must bear in mind that very few 
birds were received during that month. 
The variety bizonalis was found now and again. In 
the birds examined no less than 300 specimens were found. 
In a single bird as many as 81 of these snails were found. 
2. The Zoned Snail ( Helicella ( Heliomanus ) virgata, Da 
Costa). 
This occurred in a few birds, usually only as isolated 
specimens; 9 was the largest number found in a single 
starling. None was found in the birds from July to 
November. About 19 specimens only were noticed. 
3. Helicella ( Thepa ) cantiana, Montagu. 
A single specimen only found. 
4. The Hairy Snail ( Hygromia ( Fruticicola ) hispida , Linn.). 
The Hairy or Bristly Snail is very often eaten by the 
starling. In the 748 birds examined 232 of these mollusca 
were found, including 3 of its varieties, albocincta, subrufa , 
and depilata. The Hairy Snail is found in hedges and old 
walls, under stones, logs of wood, and especially amongst 
herbage and moss in woods, fields and gardens. It 
undoubtedly does harm in gardens by eating the leaves 
of succulent plants, but the writers have not known of it 
as a field pest. It is somewhat rural in its habits and 
consequently not so harmful as the next. Nettles are its 
favourite food. 
5. The Strawberry or Rufous Snail (Hygromia ( FnUicicola ) 
rufescens , Pennant). 
This snail is also commonly found in the starling; 88 
were found in the 748 birds, the majority in 1912-1913 ; 
20 specimens was the greatest number found in any one 
bird. It is a common species in gardens, woods and hedges 
and is especially harmful to strawberries, violets and iris. 
A few specimens of the variety albocincta were found. 
The thrush, unlike the starling, breaks the shell of this snail 
and picks the mollusc out ; the starling eats the shell also. 
6. The White Snail Shell (Vallonia pulchella , Muller.) 
This small snail also seems to be a common food of the 
starling. About 130 were found by us in the birds 
examined. It is said to inhabit only waste and unculti- 
vated spots, but it may be found anywhere at the roots of 
grass, under stones and decaying wood, and in moss, 
especially in moist situations, but it is also to be found in 
dry places and on old walls. Mr. A. E. Craven says that 
this species is nearly always found under stones and never 
far from the ground ; its food seems to be unknown. 
