WCP782

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset

Sept[embe]^r 23^rd 1901

My dear Canon Fowler,

I am afraid I cannot give you much information as to the facts you require; but I am sure that many tropical birds eat beetles, especially the larger Cuckoos, the Drongos ([Edrlins] etc.) some of the hawks and buzzards, in whose crops or stomachs I have often found elytra or parts of them. I think among the publications of the American Board of Agriculture you will find very full and detailed accounts of the results of the examination of [2] the stomachs of almost all N. American birds, and also something of the kind has been published in England, but I forget where.

Belt (Naturalist in Nicaragua, p. 317) states that Lampiyiadice and allies were invariably rejected by monkeys and fowls — he also refers to Mordellide mimicking wasps.

With regard to certain types of colouration prevailing in certain districts, we can only learn the reason by a consideration of all the conditions, & of the life history of the insects, and this can only be ascertained by resident naturalists. But there are certain general principles which enable us to make a very good guess in many [3] cases. E.G. The prevalence of dusky colours in the Madagascar beetles may be due to the altogether extraordinary abundance of the Lemur Trike, which being insectivorous, arboreal, & often nocturnal would be especially destructive to insects unless protected by some of the various modes, of which protective colourations is one of the most important.

Again, a general similarity in marking, may be brought about on what is now termed the "Mullerian" principle that, owing to all insect-eaters having to learn when young of which species are distasteful or injurious, a certain toll is each insect is exacted by them, and this toll is reduced exactly in proportion as more & more species so nearly resemble each other as to be apparently [4] almost identical — Lloyd George demonstrates this in his book on Instincts — hence if any simple pattern of working colour is acquired by one protected species, there is a tendency for many other species, both protected & non-protected to acquire similar colours & patterns (by variation & selection). Also protective markings may be acquired in the same way, & some very conspicuous markings when the species is in motion because highly protective when at rest in its natural surroundings.

The beginnings of such peculiar markings are, I believe, often due to the need for recognition on the first differentiation of species, and I have no doubt this acts with beetles as it certainly does with the higher animals.

Believe me yours very truly | Alfred R Wallace [signature]

Rev Canon Fowler