Birds in Relation to tJieir Prey. G9 



even then, however, for in another 10 minutes he succeeded 

 in eating no less than 7 in succession. But 10 minutes later 

 he could only easily manage one, and with difficulty and 

 after some persuasion a second. His refusals 10 minutes 

 later may have been influenced by the fact that he was then 

 beginning to settle down for the night. 



B, however, at the commencement of the experiment could 

 eat only 5 Amauris and then showed temper, and though she 

 did, 10 minutes later, eat 5 more, she now for about 50 

 minutes would not touch another (or Danaida), missing 

 entirely two sets of offerings. Now, however, she succeeded 

 in eating, 3 and 10 minutes later, no less than 6 ; but this 

 sufficed, and throughout the remainder of the experiment — 

 quite an hour — she refused to touch another, though towards 

 the end she readily ate Danaida. 



B's digestion is evidently more sensitive than A's, so that 

 the " control '' experiment of the other day was worth while. 

 Also, in spite of A's readiness to accept Amauris to-day when 

 to have had another Danaida would apparently have been 

 too much, it seems not unlikely, comparing this experiment 

 with past ones, that Danaida is perhaps somewhat more 

 easily digested by these birds than Ama^iris, Still, starting 

 hungrier than previously, they might easily eat more Danaida 

 now than they could Amauris then, even were the two insects 

 equal in defensive powers, so that there is no certainty 

 about it. 



534. March 17. — Neither bird appeared the worse this 

 morning for yesterday's extraordinary feed, and A, to cele- 

 brate St. Patrick, was quite willing to- begin again. He ate 

 readily 7 Danaida, and was eager for more, also an A. albi- 

 maculata. B absolutely refused the Amauris, but seeing A 

 eat it accepted and swallowed one herself. But she obsti- 

 nately refused to take a second. Danaida, however, she ate 

 greed il}' — 7 in succession, the seventh with some hesitation. 

 She refused an eighth. 



10 minutes later B refused both Amauris and Danaida 

 without tasting, but A ate both readily. Each bird now ate 



