1897.] F. Finn — 'Experiments ivith various Birds. 667 



accepted theory, but certain birds, like the Lizards, were more indis- 

 criminate in their tastes. 



The two Red- vented species of Bulbuls (Molpastes bengalensis and 

 Otocompsa emeriti) when they would eat butterflies at all (some were 

 very reluctant to do this) showed little discrimination, and often devour- 

 ed the Danainse 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 {Molpastes leucotis) though the only 

 bird by which I saw Acrsea eaten, was rather more discriminating on 

 the whole towards the Danainse, and all three agreed in objecting, as 

 a general rule, to Delias eucharis and Papilio aristolochise. 



With the White-crested Bulbul the experiments were too few to be 

 of much use, but it does not seem to be very discriminating. 



The Button-Quail (Turnix taigoor) was also very ready to eat the 

 Danainse, and objected to the other two protected forms above specified. 

 But I do not consider the tastes of this little ground- bird of any im- 

 portance, and in fact did not keep it for experiment. 



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

 mon 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 (Acridotheres tristis) in the 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 splendens) for instance. 



I conclude from these experiments — 



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

 vorous 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 " Danainse, Acrsea violas, Delias eucharis, and Papilio aristolochise ; 

 of these the last being the most distasteful, and the Danainse the least so. 



3. That the mimics of these are at any rate relatively palateable, 

 and that the mimicry is commonly effectual under natural conditions. 



4. That each bird has to separately acquire its experience, and well 

 remembers what it has learned. 



That therefore on the whole, the theory of Wallace and Bates is 



