GENERAL HABITS 197 



say, it may only be displayed at certain times 

 or seasons, or it may be permanent in its pre- 

 valence. When the social or gregarious instinct 

 is only a partial one it is generally displayed 

 after the breeding season is over, when the 

 broods and their parents join others and form 

 into flocks which pass the autumn and winter 

 in company. Less generally, however, we find 

 these conditions absolutely reversed, certain 

 birds becoming gregarious at the approach of 

 the nesting season ; yet when the young are 

 reared the gatherings disperse, and more or less 

 solitary instincts prevail until the return of 

 another breeding time. On the other hand, 

 there are many species that remain gregarious 

 throughout the year, always breeding in socie- 

 ties, and continuing in company when sexual 

 duties are over. Many birds individually mani- 

 fest a social instinct, not always a desire for 

 the company of their own kind, but an incli- 

 nation to mix with a flock of some other 

 species. It may be that these socially inclined 

 birds have no opportunity for the time being 

 to join gatherings of their own species, and 

 gratify a gregarious yearning in the only manner 

 available. Lastly, we have the recluses, birds 

 that remain in a more or less solitary state 



