THE DOMESTIC COCK. 63 



Even before the chick is liberated from its shell, it 

 utters sounds in a tone and voice not to be misunder- 

 stood, asking sympathy, and showing disappointment at 

 not being answered. Without any parent to soothe or 

 administer to its wants, it is described as betraying sur- 

 prise at its situation, and like a child just awoke out of 

 sleep, wondering where it is, and how it came there. 

 When, during the night, a large number of birds have 

 freed themselves from their shells, of course in dark- 

 ness, and the door of the machine, for the first time, 

 being opened, and light bursts in, and a human head ap- 

 pears before them, an infant never displayed more asto- 

 nishment at strange sights than is depicted in the eyes 

 and actions of these birds : some will approach, as if to 

 welcome that unknown something which they feel they 

 want, while others retire in fear to the darkest corners 

 of the dwelling. 



A few hours after, spontaneously, and without teach- 

 ing, some of them — and these teach the more stupid — 

 begin to eat ; the eflfect it is thought of merely animal 

 impulse, but soon the consequence of observation is ap- 

 parent. Noting each other's actions, they learn, not 

 only how to eat, and more especially, how to drink, but 

 they soon discover the quality of different kinds of 

 food. Before two days of their existence have passed. 



