Dr. G. B. Longstaff's Bionomic Notes on Butterflies. G31 



I carae to the conclusion that the birds were not 

 hungry, and therefore the observations of little value. 

 7 February, 1908. Offered to two young chickens first 

 a Papilio aristolochicV and then a P.polytes, $. One 

 of them looked at the first-named and then walked 

 away ; neither looked at the pohjtes. 



The same two butterflies were then offered to 

 Maina A, which pecked at both several times, then 

 wiped its beak and left them. 



This day's experiments were considered unsatis- 

 factory at the time ; it was nearly 6.0 p.m., and 

 perhaps the birds were sleepy. 



14 February, 1908. Gave bird A a Lampides sp. ; it ate 



it and looked about for more. 



15 February, 1908, Gave bird A 2 YpMMma ceylonica 



and 1 Lamjjides sp. ; it ate them all three. A Neptis 

 varmona was then offered to the same bird, Avhich 

 gave it but one peck. The Neptis was then offered 

 to bird B, which also gave it one peck. 



16 February, 1908. Gave to bird A three butterflies, 



Lampides sp., another Lycasnid (species not noted), 

 and a Nissanga patnia : it ate them all up completely. 

 Another specimen of the Nissanga was swallowed at 

 the second attempt. An Ergolis sp. was also eaten 

 and swallowed. I then offered the same bird a 

 Papilio anstolocIiicV, this after a peck or two was left. 

 The same specimen was then offered to bird B, 

 which would not touch it. It was then handed back 

 to bird A, which gave it another peck and again left 

 it. 



So far as these experiments teach anything, it would 

 appear that these Mainas would eat with relish Nissanga 

 patnia, Yp)hthima ceylonica, Atella phalanta, Ergolis sp., 

 and Lampides sp. 



On the other hand, Papilio aristolochiie and Crastia asela 

 were distinctly distasteful. 



The evidence as to the other species experimented with 

 fails to convince me one way or the other. 



§ 6. Mimics in the Field deceiving Man. 



It may not be without interest to record a number of 

 cases in which a collector with defective eyesight has 



