256 Mr Black wall on the Instincts of Birds. 



at all facilitate the use of their legs, as Dr Darwin conjectures, 

 is to me inconceivable, especially when the position in which 

 they lie is taken into consideration. But even supposing this 

 notion to be correct, it does not in the least affect the instinc- 

 tiveness of the act ; unless we conclude with Darwin, that in- 

 stinct has nothing to do with any of those actions which result 

 from the repeated efforts of the muscles, under the conduct of 

 the sensations or desires, — an opinion so manifestly erroneous, 

 that it does not require a formal refutation. 



The habits and manners of birds are sometimes so greatly 

 modified by the exercise of the intellectual faculties, that, in 

 many cases, it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, to 

 determine what is due to their influence ; but that no small por- 

 tion of intelligence is exhibited in the following instances will 

 scarcely be denied. 



The white-headed eagle, and several of the gulls, which prey 

 upon the finny inhabitants of the waters, frequently save them- 

 selves the trouble of fishing, by robbing their more expert and 

 less powerful congeners of the fruits of their industry, occasion- 

 ally compelling the objects of their violence even to disgorge 

 their undigested food *. 



The pied and yellow wagtails run close to the legs and noses 

 of cattle which are grazing, in pursuit of the insects disturbed 

 by them. The same motive also induces these and many other 

 birds to follow the husbandman, when he is busy with the 

 plough or harrow ; and the redbreast attends the gardener in his 

 labours, and seizes the worms which he turns up with his spade. 



Mr White states *)*, that the great titmouse, in severe weather, 

 frequents houses; and, in deep snows, as it hangs with its back 



• John James Audubon, Esq. the celebrated author of the splendid 

 work on American Ornithology, now publishing in London, informs me that 

 when the white-headed eagle pursues the fish-hawk, or osprey, for the pur- 

 pose of depriving it of its prey, it does not attempt to rise above, as stated by 

 Wilson, in his Ornithology of the United States of America, vol. iv. p. 90-1; 

 but, following it closely, urges it from below to as great a height as possible, 

 in order that, when the hawk quits its prize, it may be able to secure the fish 

 before it reaches the water. As the fish-hawks are not capable of contending 

 individually with the white-headed eagle, they sometimes combine together 

 in considerable numbers, to expel the marauder from their haunts. 



t Nat. Hist, of Selbourne, p. 106. 



