Birds and Insects An interesting point in the dietetics of
birds, even in the general economy of nature, is raised by Lord Tavistock, who has a peculiar knowledge of spiders and certain insects. The secretary of the Selborne Society has issued a special plea for birds starving, as he fears, from lack of insect food. In denying the probability of such a calamity I suggested that the partridge was a possible exception. To that exception Lord Tavistock takes exception. That insects—and spiders— are plentiful in the driest weather is certain ; but there are insects and insects. It is generally believed, not only by game preservers but also by the very expert organisers of game farms, that it is extremely difficult to raise young partridges successfully without ants' " eggs," so-called. There is quite a large business done in ants' nests ; and the collection of them has its own technique. A rather more particular account of this than I have previously given may illustrate the question in dispute.
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