208 A NATURALIST IN HIMALAYA 



in the case of three species. I have seen the large 

 bee-eater, Merops persicus, hawk systematically and 

 with destructive effect amongst numbers of the painted 

 lady. I have already mentioned an attack made by a 

 bulbul on a Libythea, but this butterfly is protectively 

 coloured and looks very like a moth. The third 

 instance was on the part of the paradise flycatcher, 

 though this bird did not seem to be very eager, since 

 it failed to secure its prey. I have no doubt about the 

 fact that only on rare occasions do butterflies fall a 

 victim to birds. Nevertheless, they show an instinctive 

 fear of the few species that attack them. The Libythea 

 hurls itself to the ground and there shams death ; the 

 painted ladies are thrown into wild confusion before 

 the assault of a flock of bee-eaters. When the bird 

 dashes on the butterfly, the latter recognizes its danger 

 and swerves to one side. It then darts to the ground 

 in a zigzag course, while the bird falls on it and often 

 misses it again and again. I have seen four bee-eaters 

 in succession fail to capture a butterfly that was fully 

 aware of its danger. 



Any one who has seen birds hiding in the trees or 

 scattering away for shelter in the undergrowth when a 

 hawk appears in the vicinity ; any one who has watched 

 worms emerge from the earth before the advance of a 

 hidden mole, will feel satisfied that animals have an 

 instinctive fear of their enemies. This is a fact in 

 nature. It might have been thought an obvious 

 truth that could be seen in operation on every side 

 throughout the endless battle of life. But instances 

 are not so very common. I think most creatures meet 

 their end oblivious of the dangers that confront them. 



It is not unusual in India to see young chickens 



