278 ' INSTINCTS OF BIRDS. 



every art to induce them to desert the nest as 

 early as possible; and I have known the redbreast, 

 on such occasions, take off her nestlings long 

 before they could make the slightest use of their 

 wings. That this mode of proceeding must be 

 refen*ed to intelligence, cannot, I think, be 

 doubted, as the danger of allowing their progeny 

 to remain in a state of insecurity is evidently 

 perceived, and the surest means of avoiding it 

 is deliberately adopted in consequence. 



Many birds, under particular circumstances, 

 manifest a natural inclination to fight. This 

 disposition is remarkably conspicuous in the 

 ruff, the quail, and the domestic cock. That 

 the feeling is innate and dependant upon organi- 

 zation, is clearly proved by the established fact, 

 that careful breeding and training, exercise a 

 powerful influence upon the last species with 

 regard to this propensity. 



Dr. Darwin states that pheasants and par- 

 tridges teach their young to select and take up 

 their foodj and hence he seems disposed to 

 infer, that all birds receive instruction in these 

 particulars; but that they are impelled by in- 

 stinct, independently of education and experi- 

 ence, to exercise the functions of their various 

 corporeal organs, whose structure is admirably 



