400 



NATURAL HISTORY 



[chap, xxviu 



chus has a scaly ftppearance from the narrow scale-formed 

 feathers, wluch are imitated by the broader feathers of the 

 Miiueta haviog a dusky line down each. The Tropido- 

 rhynchus has a pale rnff formed of euriona recurved 

 feathers on the nape (which has given the whole f^enus the 

 •name of Friar birds) ; this is represented in the Mimeta by 

 a pale band in the same position. JLostly, the bill of tbe 

 TropidorhjTichus is raised into a protiil>erant keel at the 

 base, and the Mimeta has the same character, although it is 

 not a common one in the genus. The result is, that on a 

 BUperficial examination the birds are identical, although 

 they ]iave important structural differences, and cannot be 

 placed near each other in any natural arrangenient. 



In the adjacent island of Ceram we find very distinct 

 species of both these genera, and, strange to say, these 

 resemble each other quite as closely as do those of Bouni. 

 The Tropidorhynclius subcornutus is of an earthy brown 

 colour, washed with oc)n-eish yellow, with bare orbits, dusky 

 cheeks, and the usual recurved nape-i-uff. The Mimeta 

 forsteiii which accompanies it, is absolutely identical in tbe 

 tints of every part of the body, and the details are copied 

 just as minutely as in the former species. 



We have two kinds of evidence to tell us which bird in 

 this case is the modi-l, and which the copy. The honey- 

 auckers are coloured in a manner which is very general in 

 the whole family to winch they belong, while the orioles 

 seem to have departed from the gay yellow tints so 

 common among their allies. We should therefore con- 

 clude that it is the latter who mimic the former. If 

 so, however, they must derive some advantage from the 

 imitation, and as they are certainly weak birds, with small 

 feet and claws, they may require it, Now the Tropido- 

 rhynchi are very strong and active birds, having powerful 

 grasping claws, and long, cur\^ed, sharp beaks. They 

 assemble together in groups an<i small flocks, and they have 

 a very loud bawling note which cun be heard at a great 

 distance, and sm'es to collect a number together in time of 

 danger. They are plentilul and very pugnacious, fre- 

 quently driving away crows and even hawks, which perch 

 on a tree where a few of them are assembled. It is very 

 probable, therefore, that the smaller birds of prey hAve 



