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V. On Insects and Insectivorous Birds ; and especially 

 on the Relation between the Colour and the Edibility 

 of Lepidoptera and their Larvce. By J. Jennee 

 Weie, F.L.S. 



[Read 1st March, 1869.] 



During the past Summer I made several experiments, 

 as suo-o-ested bv Mr. Alfred E. Wallace, with a view to 

 ascertain what species of Insects are eaten by Birds ; and, 

 on the contrary, what species are rejected. 



Although the observations I am about to detail have 

 only recently been made for a special object, yet my 

 knowledge of the relations which exist in many cases 

 between birds and insects extends over a period of more 

 than thirty years. 



The difficulty of keeping alive purely insectivorous 

 birds in captivity is so great, that I have been obliged to 

 restrict myself to those whose food is of a mixed character, 

 and which thrive in confinement. 



I have, therefore, relied mainly on the following 

 species, viz. : — 



The Robin, Erithaca ruhecula. 



„ Yellow-hammer, Emberiza ciirinella. 



„ Reed Bunting, Emhcriza schceniclus. 



„ Bullfinch, Fyrrhida vulgaris. 



„ Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs. 



„ Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra. 



,, Thrush, Tiirdns musicus. 



„ Tree Pipit, An thus arhoreus. 



And in a less degree, on 



The Siskin, Carduelis spinus. 

 And The Redpoll, Linaria minor. 



Within the limits of the order Lepidoptera, the follow- 

 ing results have been obtained. 



The apterous female of Orgyia antiqiia is the only 

 Lepidopterous insect I have found to be entirely rejected 

 in the perfect st ite ; this I distinctly saw refused, after 

 examination, by both the Robin and Read Bunting, and 

 it was quite disregarded by the other species; 



TEANS. ENT. SOC. 1869. — PART I. (aPEIL) . 



