2i8 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



themselves to cover. As a matter of fact, the bird will 

 behave in precisely the same way if she have eggs 

 instead of young ones. This has, of course, the effect of 

 drawing attention to the eggs, and proves that the 

 action is instinctive and not the result of reasoning. 



Most people have remarked the cautious manner in 

 which many birds approach the nest when they are 

 aware that they are being watched. This has the 

 appearance of a highly intelligent act. It is, however, 

 nothing of the kind. 



I have taken young birds from a nest, handled them 

 and replaced them in full view of their frantic parents. 

 Then I have retired a short distance and watched the 

 parents. These invariably display the same caution in 

 approaching the nest as they did before I had discovered 

 its whereabouts. 



Birds and beasts think much less than they are 

 popularly supposed to do. It is absurd to attribute to 

 them reasoning powers similar to those enjoyed by 

 man ; it is equally absurd to assert that they do not 

 think at all. 



