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 (Tetraopes, 

 Coccinella) were not touched a second time, except with 

 the greatest caution ; though species which were only 

 moderately distasteful (LemcC) might be taken and 

 devoured, but iviihout 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, 



