superficial examination the birds are identical, although
they have important structural differences, and cannot be
placed near each other in any natural arrangement.
In the adjacent island of Geram we find very, distinct
species of both these- genera, and, strange to say, these
resemble each other quite as closely as do those of Bouru.
The Tropidorhynchus subcornutus is of an earthy brown
colour, washed with oehreish yellow, with bare orbits, dusky
cheeks, and the usual recurved nape-ruff. The Mimeta
forsteni which accompanies it, is absolutely identical in the
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 model, and which the copy. The honey-
suckers are coloured in a manner which is very general in
the whole family to which they belong, while the orioles
seem to have departed from the gay yellow tints so
common among their allies. We should therefore conclude
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, 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 and very pugnacious, frequently
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
learnt to respect these birds and leave them alone, and it
may thus be a great advantage for the weaker and less
courageous Mimetas to be mistaken for them. This being
the case, the laws of Variation and Survival of the
Fittest, will suffice to explain how the resemblance has
been brought about, without supposing any voluntary
action on the part of the birds themselves; and those who
have read Mr. Darwin’s “ Origin of Species ” will have no
difficulty in comprehending the whole process.
The insects of the Moluccas are pre-eminently beautiful,
even when, compared with the varied and beautiful productions
of other parts of the Archipelago. The grand
bird-winged butterflies (Ornithoptera) here reach their
maximnTn of size and beauty, and many of the Papilios,
Pieridse, Danaidse, and Nymphalidse are equally preeminent.
There is, perhaps, no island in the world so
small as Amboyna where so many grand insects are to be
found. Here are three of the very finest Ornithopterse—-
priamus, helena, and remus ; three of the handsomest and
largest Papilios—ulysses, deiphobus, and gambrisius; one
of the handsomest Pieridse, Iphias leucippe; the largest of