ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF INSTINCTS. 185 



Tinder the same roof, and in tlie same straw bed kept each 

 other warm ; and when the dog was taken to the field, the 

 lamentations of the choose were incessant." 



The same author gives cases of attachment between a 

 pigeon and a fowl, a terrier and a hedgehog, a horse and a 

 pig, a horse and a hen, a cat and a mouse, a fox and harriers, 

 an alligator and a cat, &c., all as having fallen under his own 

 observation. (Ibid., p. 162.) 



It is not impossible that the so-called " domestic pets " 

 which are kept by many species of ants* may really be use- 

 less adjuncts to the hive, capricious love of association having 

 perhaps in these ants become by inherited habit truly 

 instinctive. This, at any rate, must be the explanation of the 

 fact that birds of different species will, even in a state of 

 nature, occasionally associate, as is the case with Guinea- 

 fowls and partridges, and, according to Yarrell, with par- 

 trido-es and landrails. Such unusual cases amon^:^ birds in a 

 state of nature are of special interest, because they may then 

 properly be regarded as the beginnings of such a firmly set 

 and truly instinctive association as that which obtains 

 between rooks and starlings, &c.t 



Enough lias now been said in support of Proposition I, 

 viz., that non-intelligent habits of a non-adaptive character 

 occur in individuals. We shall next proceed to Proposition II, 

 viz., that such habits may be inherited. 



That this is the case with tricks of manner in man is a 

 matter to be observed in almost every family, and was long 

 ago pointed out by John Hunter. Mr. Darwin in his MSS 

 gives a case which he himself observed, " and can vouch for 

 its perfect accuracy." " A child who as early as between her 

 fourth and fifth year, when her imagination was pleasantly 

 excited, and at no other time, had a most peculiar trick of 

 rapidly moving her fingers laterally with her hands placed 

 on the side of her face; and her father had precisely the 



* See Animal Intelligence, pp. 83-4. 



t Prof. Newton, F.R.S., informs me that " bands of the G-olden-crested 

 Wren may frequently be observed in winter consortin;^ with bands of the 

 Coal-Titmouse, and in a less degree with those of the Long-tailed Titmouse ; 

 while parties of Eedpoles and Siskins will for a time join their company, or vice 

 versa. The flocking together of Rooks and Daws is, of course, an everyday 

 occurrence, as is also for some months the association of Starlings with them, 

 and in many cases the combination of all with Lapwings. 



