86 Instinct. 



search In vain in the history of the species. Such 

 a tendency and power are a part of Instinct. This 

 instinctive act of raising the head and opening the 

 bill was needed, and needed at once. Death would 

 come without this simple action on the part of the 

 young bird, in spite of its mother's efforts. It was 

 as needful for the first young bird that ever existed 

 as for one to-day. It is here — it is present in every 

 young bird on the globe that is hatched in so im- 

 mature state as to be unable to walk. 



And here we see the first connection of Instinct 

 with the instinct-like processes below it. There is 

 simply a movement of the head to bring it into re- 

 lation with something outside of the body. All 

 else is dependent upon the Instinct of the mother 

 bird that supplements this opening of the bill by 

 supplying the young bird with the proper food. 

 And this raising of the head and opening of the bill 

 is no more comprehended by the young bird than 

 he comprehended the distribution of material that 

 forms his head or bill. It is an act performed by 

 all young birds as soon as hatched and therefore can 

 have no relation to experience or instruction. But 

 in the case of those birds like our domestic fowls, 

 that are hatched in a more mature state, the first 

 instinctive act is much more complex. The young 

 bird must select and pick up the first particle of 

 food it ever receives. The very first act of taking 

 food is as complicated in its nature as any subse- 

 quent act of feeding can be. This complex act is 

 performed by the bird by the same sort of law as 

 its blood circulates or its feathers grow. 



