RESEMBLANCES AMONG ANIMALS. 103 
together on no other snakes in the world but on Elaps 
and the species which so closely resemble it. In all 
these cases, the size and form as well as the coloura- 
tion, are so much alike, that none but a naturalist 
would distinguish the harmless from whe poisonous 
‘Species. 
Many of the small tree-frogs are no doubt also 
mimickers. When seen in their natural attitudes, I 
have been often unable to distinguish them from beetles 
-or other insects sitting upon leaves, but regret to say 
I neglected to observe what species or groups they 
most resembled, and the subject does not yet seem to 
' have attracted the attention of naturalists abroad, 
Mimicry among Birds. 
In’ the class of birds there are a number of cases 
that make some approach to mimisry, such as the 
resemblance of the cuckoos, a weak and defenceless 
group of birds, to hawks and Gallinacex. There is, 
however, one example which goes much further than 
this, and seems to be of exactly the same nature as 
the many cases of insect mimicry which have been 
already given. In Australia and the Moluccas there is 
a genus of honeysuckers called Tropidorhynchus, good 
sized birds, very strong and active, having powerful 
grasping claws and long, curved, sharp beaks. They 
assemble together in groups and small flocks, and they 
have a very loud bawling note, which can be heard 
at a great distance, and serves to collect a number 
‘together in time of danger. They are very plentiful 
