on the Relations of Indian Insectivorous Birds to Butterflies. 307


The two Red- vented species of Bulbuls (Molpasles benga-

le?isis and Otocompsa emeria) when they would eat butterflies at

all (some were very reluctant to do this) showed little discrimi-

nation, and often devoured the DaniancB as readily as other kinds.

The contrast in this respect between these birds and Liothrix,

when kept under the same conditions, was very noticeable.


The Yellow-vented species (Molpasles leucotis) though the

only bird by which I saw Acraea eaten, was rather more dis-

criminating on the whole towards the Daniance, and all three

agreed in objecting, as a general rule, to Delias eztcharis and

Papilio aristolochice.


The Button-Qnail (Turnix taigoor) was also very ready to

eat the Dafiainse, and objected to the other two protected forms

above specified. But I do not consider the tastes of this little

ground-bird of any importance, and in fact did not keep it for

experiment.


The Bulbuls offer a more serious difficulty, as they are very

common birds, and undoubtedly do eat butterflies in a wild state.

I have myself seen a wild individual of one of the Red-vented

forms eat a white butterfly. Experiments should be made, by

those who have the opportunity, with wild Bulbuls getting their

own food.


Mynahs (Acridolheres tristis) in a few experiments made,

cared little for butterflies, or showed no great discrimination

when taking them, though at liberty.


Though most birds which are at all insectivorous with

which I experimented, captive or wild, showed more or less desire

for butterflies, some would not eat them at all, Crows {Corvus

splende?is) for instance.


I conclude from these experiments :


1. That there is a general appetite for butterflies among insec-


tivorous birds, even though they are rarely seen when

wild to attack them.


2. That many — probably most species — dislike, if not intensely,


at any rate in comparison with other butterflies, the

" warningly-coloured" DanaincB, Acrcea violce, Delias

eucharis, and Papilio aristolochi<z ; of these the last beings

the most distasteful, and the Danaince the least so.



