Chap. XIV.] MENTAL QUALITIES. 105 



feed the deserted young even of distinct species, but this 

 perhaps ought to be considered as a mistaken instinct. 

 They will also feed, as shown in an earlier part of this 

 work, adult birds of their own species which have become 

 blind. Mr. Buxton gives a curious account of a parrot 

 which took care of a frost-bitten and crippled bird of a 

 distinct species, cleansed her feathers and defended her 

 from the attacks of the other parrots which roamed freely 

 about his garden. It is a still more curious fact that 

 these birds apparently evince some sympathy for the 

 pleasures of their fellows. When a pair of cockatoos 

 made a nest in an acacia-tree, " it was ridiculous to see 

 the extravagant interest taken in the matter by the others 

 of tne same species." These parrots, also, evinced un- 

 bounded curiosity, and clearly had " the idea of property 

 and possession." " 



Birds possess acute powers of observation. Every 

 mated' bird, of course, recognizes its fellow. Audubon 

 states that with the mocking-thrushes of the United States 

 (Mimus polyglottus) a certain number remain all the year 

 round in Louisiana, while the others migrate to the East- 

 ern States ; these latter, on their return, are instantly 

 recognized, and always attacked, by their Southern breth- 

 ren. Birds under confinement distinguish different per- 

 sons, as is proved by the strong and permanent antipathy 

 or affection which they show, without any apparent cause, 

 toward certain individuals. I have heard of numerous 

 instances with jays, partridges, canaries, and especially 

 bullfinches. Mr. Hussy has described in how extraordi- 

 nary a manner a tame partridge recognized everybody ; 

 and its likes and dislikes were very strong. This bird 

 seemed " fond of gay colors, and no new gown or cap 



• 



11 Acclimatization of Parrots,' by C. Buxton, M. P. ' Annals and 

 Mag. of Nat. Hist.' Nov. 1868, p. 381. 



