DISCUSSIONS ON INSTINCT 295 
during this act was in rapid motion.) While making 
an unusually awkward lunge at the edge of the dish the 
bill was accidentally thrust deep into the water, and 
quickly withdrawn with an unmistakable air of surprise, 
followed by an effort to eat the water held between the 
mandibles. The jaws snapped, the tongue could be 
seen shooting back and forth, and the head, first held 
horizontally, was only slowly tipped backward, and then 
not in the way of the chick, described as instinctively 
perfect, but after the retching method of mouthing and 
swallowing any object not readily responsive to the con- 
tractions of deglutition, and which must needs have the 
added assistance of the attraction of gravitation. 
Though the porcelain dish was afterwards repeatedly 
offered from 11th to the 16th July, and invariably 
evoked notes of approval, the bird, in securing the liquid, 
always bit the edge, and never once dipped the beak 
beneath the surface, nor drank in the approved method 
of the chick. The earlier awkward movements, however, 
were greatly improved through repetition. The sub- 
stance of the water seemed never to be visually observed, 
and the empty dish held in the hand evoked the same 
clamorous approval as when filled with water, and was 
later recognised, even when accidentally met, though a 
saucer which had not contained food or water evoked 
no sign of interest. 
On the morning of 12th July, it was noted that if 
water was allowed to fall from a height, the bird became 
greatly agitated, opened its mouth, and vigorously struck 
at the descending drops, and several were swallowed 
with evident signs of relish. Up to this time, while in 
my possession, the animal had taken food only when 
placed by the fingers in the gaping mouth, and had 
made no effort to pick, selectively, the food from be- 
tween the fingers, nor had it even changed its position 
