470 Mr. A. G. Butler on the Effect of offering 
the Wryneck and Sedge-Warbler; Epetra diademata by 
Nightingales, Indigo Finch, and Chaffinch, and a small one 
by Cordon-bleu (Red-eared African Waxbill). The Wax- 
bills never refuse spiders. 
29th August. 
Caterpillars of Ganoris brassice given to Nightingales ; 
killed but not eaten. The Song-Thrush and Starling, how- 
ever, ate them without hesitation. Caterpillars of G. rape 
again eaten by Wryneck. 
30th August. 
Caterpillars of G. brassice eaten by Missel-Thrush, Song- 
Thrush, and Starling, rejected by Indigo Finch; again killed 
but not eaten by Nightingales ; caterpillars of G. rape eaten 
by all my soft-billed birds, by the Indigo Finch, and 
Chaffinch. A caterpillar of G. brassice was rejected by a 
pair of Orange Weavers, but they were both at the time in a 
dying condition. 
31st August. 
Caterpillars of G. brassice killed and the contents (but 
not the skin) eaten by Bulbul; swallowed entire by Missel- 
Thrush ; eaten, apparently without relish, by Song-'lhrushes ; 
killed but not eaten by Blackbird; caterpillars of G. rape 
eaten as before by all soft-billed birds, Indigo Finch, and 
Chaffinch; small spider (Zegenaria, sp.) eaten by Sedge- 
Warbler ; caterpillars of Mamestra brassice were eaten by 
many of the birds, but I have never known this species alto- 
gether refused by any insectivorous bird in good health; the 
Wryneck alone objects to the brown variety, but he will get 
over this in time I believe. 
4th September. 
Largest-sized Tegenaria domestica given to Nightingales, 
Missel-Thrush, and Bulbul, and eaten with the greatest 
relish; large specimen of Epeira diademata eaten by Wax- 
bills ; earwigs eaten by Nightingales. 
6th September. 
Gave caterpillar of Cossus ligniperda to Missel-Thrush, 
which tasted but did not relish it; took it away and offered 
it to Blackbird, which ate it at once and made the whole place 
smell horribly. Gave caterpillars of Ganoris brassice to 
Missel-Thrush and Starling; the former swallowed them 
whole, the latter tasted and then rejected them. 
