DISCUSSIONS ON INSTINCT 299 
its first insect—I, at least, observed its ability as an 
insect catcher develop from almost nil to expertness. 
During these excursions, observations were made and 
data collected for the determination of the following 
questions: Is there an inherited discrimination in 
favour of the capture of certain edible insects in pre- 
ference to others? If unsavoury insects are un- 
wittingly taken into the mouth, are they swallowed ? 
If ejected from the mouth, are there signs of disgust ? 
When unsavoury examples are met a second time, are 
they avoided ? 
To the first question I can reply that, at first, all 
insects were indiscriminately seized. A vile-smelling 
hemipteron was as tempting as a luscious grasshopper 
or cricket. Distinctly unsavoury insects (TZetraopes, 
Coccinella) were not touched a second time, except with 
the greatest caution; though species which were only 
moderately distasteful (Lema) might be taken and 
devoured, but without relish. In one case a large 
brown ant—the first found—was seized, mulled, and 
vigorously ejected. The next day the bird was taken 
to the same tree, and, on perceiving a second ant of 
the same species, eyed it closely and deliberately, and 
then shook its head and vigorously wiped its beak, 
with unmistakable signs of recollection. I mention 
this particular case, though it is not the only one, to 
illustrate how quickly the bird was self-taught, for 
the ant was only one of a dozen different species of 
insects which were met, and it was so instantly seized 
that a prolonged visual image was not gained. I might 
add that the kingbird subsequently refused even to try 
the edible qualities of a large black ant of a different 
species, though the bird watched the insect’s move- 
ments with much interest. Profiting by mistakes, it 
soon learned to examine critically all strange food, 
