No. 390. ] SECURING INSECTS FROM BIRDS. 483 
almost as high a degree of immunity as Coccinellide. The 
quick-flying Diptera seem to be not far behind in the scale of 
immunity from the attacks of birds, but with aculeate Hyme- 
noptera there is somewhat of a drop, and when we get to the 
‘parasitic Hymenoptera we find that they are eaten by many 
birds and apparently relished. 
Among the Coleoptera, Cyllene and other conspicuous flower- 
loving Cerambycids are seldom found by the examiner of birds’ 
stomachs. Meloids of the type Epicauta have, in their secre- 
tions, an efficient protection against birds, but they are excep- 
tions. Thus, in each of five kingbirds’ stomachs, taken in one 
locality, there were thirteen of these beetles. Butterflies, in 
the scale of efficiency of their protection, will rank a good deal 
higher than even Coccinellidaz. Homoptera, with the excep- 
tion of Cicadas and Jassids, are seldom eaten. Dragon-flies 
are not often caught when they have once been safely launched 
on the wing, but May flies and Caddice flies are terribly perse- 
cuted. 
Apparently irrespective of coloration, the smaller Carabide, 
and particularly all abundant Scarabæidæ, except the rose 
chafer, are eagerly sought after for food by most insectivorous 
birds. 
From the study of the insectivorous food of birds, it seems 
to me that biologists have not yet entirely elucidated all the 
details of the nature of the adaptations of insects which are 
most potently protective. Some investigators seem to reason 
from the standpoint of man: that since an insect tastes bad 
in our mouth, therefore it must be distasteful to a bird. What 
is one man’s meat may be another man’s poison. Consequently 
it seems to me that the human criteria are not necessarily 
adapted to suit the avian case. It does not follow that, since 
a stink bug nauseates our stomach and irritates our tongue, it 
will produce a like effect on a crow. Hence there appears to 
be need of a little more avian psychology before it is possible 
to entirely coincide with certain current views upon protective 
adaptations. 
Numerous species of bugs and beetles which, in addition to 
being protectively colored, possess ill-smelling, bad-tasting, and 
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