1882-83.] Edinbiirgh Nat2iralists Field Club. 103 



look and puzzled expression, but may not this arise from a too con- 

 stant consideration of the ways of this wicked world, and of the 

 problem why they, with only one bad habit — viz., prowling about 

 at night — are considered feir game for the exercise of the talents of 

 all the possessors of fowling-pieces, — from the urchin with his old- 

 fashioned muzzle-loader, to the owner of the double-barrelled breech 

 with all the latest improvements. 



In addition to the four-footed animals, we had hosts of feathered 

 friends, all of them more or less interesting. Most small birds, 

 however, unless got when quite young, never do get reconciled to 

 captivity ; and when this is the case, it is a pity to keep them 

 caged up. Others, however, speedily make themselves at home, 

 and notably the Bullfinch, which we have repeatedly seen take 

 seeds out of the hand on the very day of its capture. Of the larger 

 birds, the most amusing was a Jackdaw, who occasionally ranged 

 about no one knew where, for he had perfect liberty, his wings 

 never having been clipped. But, like a sensible fellow, he always 

 put in an appearance at dinner-time, and again when he wished to 

 retire for the night. Our friend was no exception to the general 

 .Jackdaw failings, but he was no common thief, and only interfered 

 with such objects as he considered the owner held in special esteem. 

 Consequently it was not safe to have anything of value about, as 

 even the cat found with regard to her tail. In consequence of 

 numerous offences, he was presented to a nurseryman, and took to 

 his new quarters nicely ; but, as might be expected, it was not long 

 before he won fresh laurels in his new situation. One night he of 

 design got shut up in the hothouse, and next morning it was found 

 he had been haixl at work during the silent watches, having care- 

 fully collected all the " tallies " into a heap on the floor, thereby 

 entailing an immense deal of trouble on his new master. He must 

 have been very fatigued ; but from his mischievous look and know- 

 ing croak, he seemed to consider that his master's indignation and 

 fruitless rage more than compensated him for any trouble he had 

 had. He fell a victim at last to his besetting sin, for some work- 

 men having left a quantity of white lead lying about, this substance 

 was first admired from a distance, then it underwent a nearer in- 

 spection, and finally was freely swallowed, with the result that our 

 black friend was gathered to his fathers, in what was to a Jackdaw 

 the flower of his youth. 



And now let me say, in conclusion, that though animals can be 

 taught many really clever tricks, we cannot help thinking that, to- 

 a certain extent, these so-called accomplishments are degrading to 

 our friends' talents, and our admiration on viewing them is tinged 

 with the same feeling of pity which we experience in witnessing 

 the agility or laughing at the antics of a circus clown. While 

 therefore, in certain circumstances, it is justifiable to have wild 



