BIRDS SYMPATHY. 275 



hold of their disabled comrade, one at each wing, lift him out of 

 the water, and bear him out seawards. They were followed by 

 two other birds. After being carried about six or seven yards, 

 he was let gently down again, when he was taken up in a 

 similar manner by the two who had been hitherto inactive. In 

 this way they continued to carry him alternately, until they had 

 conveyed him to a rock at a considerable distance, upon which 

 they landed him in safety. Having recovered my self-possession, 

 I made toward the rock, wishing to obtain the prize which had 

 been so unceremoniously snatched from my grasp. I was ob- 

 served, however, by the terns ; and instead of four, I had in a 

 short time a whole swarm about me. On my near approach to 

 the rock I once more beheld two of them take hold of the 

 wounded bird as they had done already, and bear him out to sea 

 in triumph, far beyond my reach. This, had I been so inclined, 

 I could no doubt have prevented. Under the circumstances, 

 however, my feelings would not permit me ; and I willingly 

 allowed them to perform without molestation an act of mercy, 

 and to exhibit an instance of affection which man himself need 

 not be ashamed to imitate. 1 



According to Clavigero, 2 the inhabitants of Mexico 

 utilise the sympathy of the wild pelican for the procuring 

 of fish. First a pelican is caught and its wing broken- 

 The bird is then tied to a tree, and being both in pain and 

 captivity, it utters cries of distress. Other pelicans are 

 attracted by the cries, and finding their friend in such a 

 sovry case, their bowels of compassion become moved in a 

 very literal sense ; for they disgorge from their stomachs 

 and pouches the fish which they have caught, and deposit 

 them within reach of the captive. As soon as this is done 

 the men, who have been lying in wait concealed, run to 

 the spot, drive off the friendly pelicans, and secure their 

 fish, leaving only a small quantity for the use of the 

 captive. 



The parrot which belonged to the Buffon family showed 

 much sympathy with a female servant to whom it was 

 attached when the girl had a sore finger, which it dis- 

 played by its never leaving her sick room, and groaning as 

 if itself in pain. As soon as the girl got better the bird 

 again became cheerful. 



1 Smiles, Life of Edn-ard, p. 240. 2 History of Mexico, p. 220. 



