236 GLIMPSES OF INDIAN BIRDS 



to develop this instinct, because the individuals in 

 which the instinct is strongly developed are less likely 

 to be injured by fighting than those which are pug- 

 nacious. In other words, it does not pay to fight in 

 nature. Injured individuals are seriously handi- 

 capped in the struggle for existence. Thus natural 

 selection tends to produce cowards. 



At the breeding season an instinct, which is ordi- 

 narily dormant in birds, suddenly becomes active — 

 the instinct of preserving the nest and its contents. 



This instinct, when aroused, frequently overmasters 

 the instinct of self-preservation, with the result that 

 shy birds become bold, timid ones grow aggressive, 

 little birds which usually are terrified at the close 

 proximity of a human being allow themselves to be 

 handled rather than leave their eggs or young. 



At the breeding season the desire to protect the 

 nest leads many birds to attack, or to make as if to 

 attack, all intruders. 



No sight is commoner in India than that of a pair 

 of Httle drongos (Dicrurus ater) chasing a kite or a 

 crow. 



Similarly I have witnessed doves chase and put to 

 flight a tree-pie {Dendrocitta rufa), and fantail fly- 

 catchers mob a corby {Corvus macrorhynchus). 



Nor are such cases confined to India. 



In England Mr. A. H. Bryden states that he has 

 seen sea-gulls mob and put to flight so formidable a 

 creature as a peregrine falcon. 



In each of the above instances the bird pursued 

 could, if it wished, turn round and rend its puny 



