xxxiv INTRODUCTION. 



only constitute a part of the food it probably conveys for the 

 support of its young. But the most extraordinary instinct of 

 this kind known, is exhibited by the Sociable, or RepubUcan 

 Grosbeak {^Ploceus sociies, Cuvier), of the Cape of Good Hope. 

 In one tree, according to Mr. Paterson, there could not be 

 fewer than from eight hundred to one thousand of these nests, 

 covered by one general roof, resembling that of a thatched 

 house, and projecting over the entrance of the nest. Their 

 common industry almost resembles that of bees. Beneath this 

 roof there are many entrances, each of which forms, as it were, 

 a regular street, with nests on either side, about two inches dis- 

 tant from each other. The material which they employ in this 

 building is a kind of fine grass, whose seed, also, at the same 

 time serves them for food. 



That birds, besides their predilection for the resorts of men, 

 are also capable of appreciating consequences to themselves 

 and young, scarcely admits the shadow of a doubt ; they are 

 capable of communicating their fears and nicely calculating 

 the probability of danger or the immunities of favor. We talk 

 of the cunning of the Fox and the watchfulness of the Weasel ; 

 but the Eagle, Hawk, Raven, Crow, Pye, and Blackbird pos- 

 sess those traits of shrewdness and caution which would seem 

 to arise from reflection and prudence. They well know the 

 powerful weapons and wiles of civilized man. Without being 

 able to smell powder, — a vulgar idea, — the Crow and Blackbird 

 at once suspect the character of the fatal gun ; they will alight on 

 the backs of cattle without any show of apprehension, and the 

 Pye even hops upon them with insulting and garrulous playful- 

 ness ; but he flies instantly from his human enemy, and seems, 

 by his deprecating airs, aware of the proscription that affects 

 his existence. A man on horseback or in a carriage is much 

 less an object of suspicion to those wily birds than when alone ; 

 and I have been frequently both amused and surprised, in the 

 Southern States, by the sagacity of the Common Blackbirds in 

 starting from the ploughing field, with looks of alarm, at the 

 sight of a white man, as distinct from and more dangerous than 

 the black slave, whose furrow they closely and familiarly fol- 



