202 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



colours; while the different tints of the two 

 species in each island are exactly the same. 

 Thus in Bouru both are earthy brown ; in 

 Ceram they are both washed with yellow ochre ; 

 in Timor the under surface is pale and the 

 throat nearly white." Very remarkable is the 

 fact that even a protuberance on the bill of the 

 Honey-sucker is imitated by a similar peculia- 

 rity on that of the Oriole. Incidentally we may 

 remark that Dr. Wallace, finding a peculiar 

 form of Oriole on the island of Gilolo, was 

 able to predict that a Friar Bird similar in 

 appearance would some day be found there ; 

 and this it actually was ! In Brazil we have 

 a case of a fierce bird-eating Hawk imitating 

 another Hawk perfectly harmless and feeding 

 upon insects. But the most marvellous part 

 about this is that in localities where the harm- 

 less bird is absent the rapacious species never 

 adopts the disguise. Another interesting in- 

 stance is furnished by a Bulbul of Madagascar 

 imitating a Shrike found in the same country. 

 Although the latter bird is dimorphic the Bulbul 

 closely resembles or mimics feather for feather 

 the two types of colouration. 



The various Protective Colours and Resem- 

 blances of birds are little less wonderful. No 



