1885.] BECKHAM on Birch observed at Pueblo, Colorado. 1 39 



take cognizance of its surroundings, and make mental note of them 

 for purposes of imitation at a remote future, does not the assump- 

 tion of such extraordinary powers of imitation and memory bor- 

 der upon absurdity ? To extend the theory, which it is perfect- 

 ly legitimate to do, to other classes of animals, does the tadpole, 

 or the embryo fish ( in the case of the nest-building species) also 

 remember the exact position, structure and materials of its mater- 

 nal nest? Does the young turtle remember throughout the long 

 years of its adolescence the precise nature of the spot from which 

 it emerged, so as to select a similar place for its own eggs? Or 

 does the larva of an insect remember, through its various stages 

 of metamorphosis, the exact arrangement of the e ( ^g from which 

 it was hatched in relation to the eggs of its brother larvae so dis- 

 tinctly as to be able to deposit its own eggs in a similar situation 

 and similar order of arrangement? Why, indeed, the idea that 

 birds are guided by 'instinct,' taking the term as interpreted by 

 modern science, is so repugnant to a certain class of minds, or 

 why they will persist in denying that any evidence in its favor 

 exists, is to me at least incomprehensible. In short, I agree 

 exactly with Mr. Seebohm in his footnote appended to Mr. 

 Dixon's essay, in which he says: "I regard the word Instinct 

 as the popular term for the mysterious impulses which scientific 

 men call Hereditary Habit; and I think that it plays a great part, 

 an overwhelmingly great part, not only in Bird-nest building, but 

 in every other action of every animal, man included .... If 

 Hereditary Habit have the lion's share in the production of a 

 birds' nest, we must allow that Memory, Imitation, and a rudi- 

 mentary form of Reason also play their subordinate parts." In 

 these few words, it seems to me, we have the sum of the whole 

 matter, and a rational answer to the question of how young birds 

 build their first nest. 



NOTES ON SOME OF THE BIRDS OF PUEBLO, 

 COLORADO. 



BY CHARLES WICKLIFFE BECKHAM. 



The following observations were made principally in the 

 immediate neighborhood of Pueblo. Colorado, during the season 

 of 18S3. 



