194 
On the Species of the Genus Primula in Essex. 
I have observed many flowers pulled to pieces when growing 
under cover of thick woods, where sparrows are not accustomed 
to go. At first I suspected mice, and set a trap accordingly in 
a patch of flowers, but with no result; and I now think that 
blackbirds were the destroyers. A gentleman accustomed to 
grow Primroses informs me that chaffinches, linnets, and 
greenfinches are also sinners in this matter. The calyx and 
corolla are nearly cut through just above the ovary, and are 
left upon the ground in numbers, generally showing the 
marks of the two sides of the bird’s bill. The ovary itself 
and the remaining portion of the calyx is then neatly cut off 
the top of the stalk, and is carried away and probably eaten 
by the bird, as it would doubtless be nutritious. The havoc 
thus worked in woods and gardens is often very great, and 
must seriously diminish the total quantity of seeds produced. 
Since making the foregoing observation I learned that in 
1874 a correspondence on the same subject in ‘Nature’ (ix., 
p. 482) was started by Mr. Darwin, who had noticed similar 
facts. The practice of destroying the flowers seems to be 
very widespread over the county, and I do not think there 
can be the slightest doubt but that the object of the birds is 
to get at and eat the ovary. Mr. T. Pi. Archer Briggs, of 
Plymouth, says—“ The tubular portion of the Primrose is 
much infested by small insects (? Thrips), and I have some¬ 
times thought that a bird for the sake of feeding on these 
might be led to bite the flowers.” This is unlikely to be the 
case, as the tube is seldom opened ; and 1 have even found se¬ 
veral live beetles in it after being cut off. I have occasionally 
seen the Cowslip-flowers nipped off, and frequently those of 
the Oxlip ; these latter seem to be most relished by the birds 
while they are in the bud, and I have often seen little heaps 
of them lying around the plants. Some of these remnants 
of unopened buds had been robbed of their corolla, anthers, 
style, and ovary. The anthers of Oxlip-flowers very often 
disappear, and, as I have sometimes seen slime on the 
flowers, I suspect the agents to be slugs. The same is often 
the case with the Cowslip, and I have several times caught a 
small snail (Helix hispid a) on the flowers. 
