palatability ok some british insects. 813 



The Experiments 



MOLLUSCA. 



(Slugs.) 



Large Black Slug {Avion titer). 



Sept. 24, 1910. Two taken and eagerly eaten by two Meerkats, 

 who wiped them down with their paws and rubbed them in the 

 sand apparently to remove the slime. 



Oct, 26, 1909. One given to Black- winged Grackle was 

 eaten. 



One (larger specimen) given to the same bird was abandoned ; 

 offei'ed to Sulphury Tyrant, but the bird would not touch it ; 

 offered to Sun-Bittern, was pecked, but not eaten ; earned to a 

 perch by Harmonious Shrike-Thrush but was soon dropped ; 

 pecked and shaken about, and much hammered by Abbot's Rail, 

 which managed to break the skin of the slug and getting at the 

 inside ate a large portion, but would not eat the outside. 



One taken by Dial Bird which persevered for a long time, 

 hammering and wiping it in the sand; he was then driven off by 

 Black-chinned Laughing Thrush, which held the slug in his foot 

 and ate little pieces of the inside after breaking the skin, but left 

 the bulk of it. 



Dial Bird tried another, but gave it up. 



Common Hangnest took one, but left it after a few pecks. 



Two offered to Kagu, a kind of Crane or large Rail, were 

 swallowed entire with very little delay. 



One tried by Black-tailed Water-hen which, however, gave it 

 up ; the same specimen given to Leach's Laughing Kingfisher was 

 ultimately swallowed entire after being dropped many times. 

 « 



Avion hovtensis. 

 (Olive-brown Slug with orange-coloured foot.) 



Oct. 26, 1909. One eaten by Yellow crowned Hangnest. 



Two eaten by Dial Bird. 



Two refused by Harmonious Shrike-Thrush. 



One twice taken from my hand by Harmonious Shrike-Thrush 

 and dropped both times ; but after taking it the third time the 

 bird ate it. 



Limax maximus. 



Oct. 26, 1909. One given to Harmonious Shrike-Thrush was 

 tried, but abandoned after one or two pecks. It was then taken 

 and eaten by a Black- winged Grackle after a great deal of wiping 

 of the bill. 



Sept. 24, 1910. Two specimens tasted by Green Lizard, and 

 Black-spotted Lizard, but not eaten. The Lizards apparently 

 disliked the slime, because they wiped their mouths on the stones 

 after tasting. Both eaten without delay by Glass Snake. 



Proc. Zool. Soc— 1911, No. LVI. 56 



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