INTELLIGENCE. 123 



Setting the above points aside, we may urge 

 that the intelligence of these tiny beings is 

 manifested in their inquisitiveness ; if struck at 

 as they dart along, or if assaulted by the sweep of 

 a net, they will hover round the aggressor, peer 

 closely into his face, or examine the instrument 

 designed for their capture. In like manner they 

 scrutinize the intruder who approaches near 

 their nests. "When taken prisoners and placed 

 in a room, we have seen how confident and 

 familiar they speedily become how unrestrained 

 are their actions how soon they recognize their 

 friendly gaoler, and learn to trust themselves to 

 him, evincing pleasure on his appearance, and 

 courting his notice. Could they be preserved, 

 in suitable and ample aviaries, which might in 

 their native country be managed without any 

 great difficulty, we hesitate not to say that they 

 would become more familiar with their keeper 

 than the most petted canary more playful and 

 intrusive, and lose every trace of distrust or ap- 

 prehension. It is true that on being first taken, 

 many suffer an agony of terror, and probably by 

 a sudden and violent revulsion of blood to the 

 brain, quickly expire. But this very fact is an 

 additional proof of their intelligence ; a stupid 

 animal would not understand the novel and 

 startling predicament into which it found itself 

 entrapped. But the bird at once becomes aware 

 of its alarming position, and feels acutely ; at 



