N£IV LIMBS FOR OLD ONES. i 55 



It appears to delight in thus cleaning itself and giving itself a 

 good rubbing and scrubbing all over, as a strong man enjoys his 

 " matutinal tub " and a hearty rub with a rough towel afterwards ; 

 or as a bird, ^vith evident pleasure, preens its feathers, and bathes 

 in water or sand. This cleansing process has been erroneously 

 supposed to indicate sexual excitement. 



