( xe ) 
directed and sustained observation. Little can be gained by 
merely noting such cases as happen to force themselves on 
the collector’s attention; the collector must resolutely set 
himself to search out and keep watch upon what really takes 
place. Considering that there is no record of any naturalist’s 
having seriously taken up the investigation of this matter in 
the field, I think that very much positive evidence could 
hardly be expected, and that what has been published goes 
far in the direction of proving that birds must still be 
reckoned among the principal enemies of butterflies. Belt’s 
well-known note on the pair of Puff-birds that he watched for 
half-an-hour bringing various butterflies to feed their young 
is supported by E. Poeppig’s observation* that in the forest 
it is easy to discover where a Galbula’s favourite perch 
has been chosen, as the wings of large butterflies, whose 
bodies only have been eaten, strew the ground for several 
paces roundabout. Von Wied found a large “ Tagschmetter- 
ling” in the stomach of a Bucco, and K. Hartert butterflies 
in that of Merops pusillus; while E. L. Arnold saw Terias 
hecabe and Papilio pammon caught by birds in India.f Hahnel 
published in “Iris”? (1890) the observation that in South- 
America birds hunted Pierine more than any other group of 
butterflies, and often snapped up specimens close to him. 
Haase in Siam saw some Catopsiliv (Pierine) and Hesperiidee 
captured and eaten by sparrows. I have recorded Mrs. Bar- 
ber’s remarks that among the insects caught and brought to 
their nestlings by various Sun-birds at the Cape she often 
noticed Pyrameis cardui, and also Mr. Mansel Weale’s note 
that T'chitrea cristata captures the male Papilio cenca. My. T. 
Ayres, a very trustworthy ornithological observer, has 
remarked (in his notes in ‘‘ The Ibis ” on the habits of South- 
African birds) that the King-hunter, Jspidina natalensis, feeds 
almost entirely on butterflies. Col. Swinhoe informs me 
that in India he has on several occasions seen Merops viridis 
catch and eat butterflies, and that he has also witnessed 
many cases of other birds pursuing them; while the common 
* Cited by Haase, l.c., ii., p. 104. 
+ These three eases also cited by Haase, l. c. 
