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94 TI-It? CONDOR Vol. XX! food habits o? the same birds as are here studied were presented in a paper by the same author, published in 1913 under the title "The Food of Some British Wild Birds". The method used in the earlier'paper in es- timating the crop and stomach contents was that known as the numerical method. The present paper is the result of a re-investiga- tion, using the volumetric method. Under the heading of methods, a discussion of the numerical as compared With the volumetric method is given, with the conclusion that the ratio of each element to the average capa- city or cubic contents of the bird's stomach gives the most accurate idea of the relative proportions of each kind of food. It is point- ed out' that this method, so widely used in the United States, is here practiced for the first time in connection with British birds. An attempt is thus made to state in defi- nite figures the actual percentages of the different kinds of food consumed by each species during a whole year. The evidence is presented after an examination of 3670 adult specimens obtained during each month of the year, and 595 nestlings. The treatment under each species consists of introductory statements, followed by post mortem records, food of nestlings, and a conclusion based on the evidence as to the economic status of the species. The change in method leads the writer to change his stand regarding the economic status of the Missel Thrush. The judgment after a num- erical analysis of the food led to the state- ment that the Missel Thrush "for four months in the year does more harm than is counterbalanced during the remainder of the year". The judgment after a volumetric analysis leads to the statement: "In spite of its depredations in fruit orchards, this bird must at present be regarded on the whole as beneficial". It is pointed out that the House Sparrow is one of the best-known birds in history, probably being known to people of whom we have no written records. "When writing was invented the Sparrow was selected for the hieroglyphic symbolising enemy, and proofs of its destructive habits have been cited by certain authors showing that it has been the enemy of mankind for more than five thousand years". Investigation of the food habits of this bird does not alter the attitude taken many years ago. The Rook is shown to be more harmful than beneficial, in the present abundance of this species. The injury to seed corn and other crops by the Skylark is far outweighed by the bene- fits it confers in destroying injurious insects. The Green Woodpecker is shown to destroy large numbers of injurious insects and to seldom, if ever, attack sound trees.' It is, therefore, "deserving of every protection". The injuries inflicted by the Sparrow Hawk "are considerably in excess of the benefits it confers, and in consequence it should be afforded no protection". The Kestrel is a bird "certainly deserving of very strict protec- tion". The Wood Pigeon probably consumes 57 pounds of food per year. Of this about 35? pounds is grain, clover, roots and pulse, 20? pounds of weeds, grass, earth-worms, etc., and about one pound of slugs, snails and insects. The writer, therefore, advocates the destruction of this bird as a pest. The food habits of the Lapwing demonstrate the need for "prohibition of the taking or killing of this bird or its eggs throughout the year". Of the nine species of wild birds the House Sparrow and the Wood Pigeon are shown to be distinctly injurious. Because of their abundance, two others, the Rook and the Sparrow Hawk, are also injurious. One, the Missel Thrush, although as a rule bene- ficial, is sometimes locally too numerous. The Skylark, the Green Woodpecker, the Kestrel and the Lapwing are highly bene- ficial. Strong repressive measures against the first category, the withholding of pro- tection from those of the next two categories, and the strict protection of the four bene- ficial birds are advocated. The paper is illustrated by seventeen diagrams, showing the proportional amounts of the different kinds of food, and a bibliography, citing twenty-three papers, is appended. Dr. Collinge in casting aside the numer- ical method for the American method of computing the stomach contents of birds makes it appear probable that the latter will be universally used in the near future, with the result that the work of economic ornith- ologists throughout the world will be direct- ly comparable. Heretofore, because of the wide difference in method it has been prac- tically impossible for Americans to profit by the work of Europeans.--HAaOLD C. BI?ANT, Museum o! Vertebrate Zoology, Berlceley, California, January 1, 1919. MINUTES OF COOPER CLUB MEETINGS SOUTHERN DIVISION SEPTEMBEI?.--The meeting of Septem- ber 26, 1918, was called to order by President Miller, with members Daggett, Holland, Howard, Howell, Law, Mrs. Law, Lelande, Little, Owen, Reis, and Willett