144 
Dr. W. E. Collinge on the [Ibis, 
injurious insects 15*5 per cent., neutral insects 4‘5 per cent., 
Crustacea 6‘5 per cent., molluscs 5*5 per cent., tadpoles 
4*0 per cent., worms 1*5 per cent., and miscellaneous animal 
matter 3*0 per cent. 
The lightest nest-content weighed 12*5 grains and the 
heaviest 320 grains, the average being 142 grains. In all 
probability the heavier ones represent the contents accumu¬ 
lated over more than one season, but on this point I have no 
definite information. 
Of the 59*5 per cent, of fish, minnows constituted 39 f 5 per 
cent., stickleback 31*0 per cent., gudgeon 14’5 per cent., 
trout 12‘5 per cent., and 2*5 per cent, of unidentifiable fish- 
remains. 
2. Pellets .—The average weight of the pellets was 15 grains. 
The analysis of the fifty-three specimens shows that they 
consist wholly of animal matter of which fish constitutes 
59 0 per cent., injurious insects 15'0 per cent., Crustacea 
60 per cent., tadpoles 5*5 per cent., molluscs 5*0 per cent., 
neutral insects 5*0 per cent., worms 1*5 per cent., and 
miscellaneous animal matter 30 per cent. 
V. Examination of Siomach Contents. 
Practically all the stomachs examined were full. The 
average weight of the contents was 325 grains. Only twenty- 
seven stomachs have been examined. It was evident at a very 
early stage of this inquiry that the pellets and nest-contents 
afforded a very valuable source of information, and one 
which was in close agreement with the results obtained from 
the post-mortem examinations. It was, therefore, not thought 
desirable to destroy a large number of birds for the purpose 
of examining the stomach-contents. Many of those examined 
have been kindly sent to me by taxidermists, to whom the 
birds had been sent or brought to be set up. 
1. Nature of the Food .—An examination of the. stomach- 
contents shows that the whole of the food consists of 
animal matter. Specimens have been examined in all the 
months of the year excepting May, June, and December. 
