ANIMAL BEHAVIOR. 297 



where, without being moved, food could be offered in perfect 

 quiet. I used the tiniest bits of raw beef and offered only one 

 piece at a time, which I held in small forceps or on the point 

 of a needle a little in front of the animal to be tested. If the 

 meat is held closely enough to touch the head, the animal is 

 frightened and may retreat with such haste as to alarm all its 

 companions. If the bait is held a little to one side, an inch or 

 so away, and very quietly for a minute or more, a slight turn- 

 ing of the head in that direction may be noticed, in case the 

 animal is ready to eat and feels confidence enough to try to 

 reach it. The turning of the head is done very cautiously and 

 almost as slowly as the minute-hand of a clock moves, so that 

 one may become aware of it, not by seeing the movement, but 

 by noticing the inclination of the head to the axis of the body. 

 If there be a decided turn of the head of this kind, the case is 

 hopeful, as it shows an interest which may be encouraged to 

 action by bringing the bait a little nearer, but very slowly and 

 without any jerky movement. Halting about half an inch 

 away, wait for further movement on the part of the animal, if 

 you are fortunate enough not to have frightened it away. If 

 the animal's courage holds out — in most cases it does not in 

 the first trials — it will soon begin to move, but with a slow- 

 ness that tries the observer's patience. The head at length 

 comes up to a point a quarter of an inch away, more or less, 

 and after making sure of the position of the bait, which seems 

 to be done less by the aid of the eyes than by the sense of 

 touch, the animal tries to seize it by a quick side movement of 

 the head and a snap of the jaws. The first attempt to take the 

 bait corresponds in all essential points with the behavior of the 

 adult when trying to capture a fish, a worm, or an insect larva, 

 although the aim may not be q?iite so sure. 



If one is successful in getting one or more to feed, the 

 more timid ones may be brought forward in the same way by 

 patiently alluring them from day to day, until they are tempted 

 to an effort. Once' made, the effort becomes easier at the 

 next trial, and in the course of a month or six weeks the 

 bolder ones will respond fairly promptly. A few of my speci- 

 mens became very familiar with me, and would come towards 



