FROM THE " SPECTATOR." 45 



THINKING OUT A PLAN. 



[March 3, 1888.] 



ARE animals able to think over and carry out 

 a plan? The following anecdotes will answer 

 the question. When in India, I had a small 

 rough terrier who, when given a bone, was 

 sent to eat it on the gravel drive under an 

 open porch in front of the bungalow. On 

 several occasions two crows had made an 

 attempt to snatch the dainty morsel, but their 

 plans were easily defeated by Topsy's growls 

 and snapping teeth. Away flew the crows to 

 the branch of a tree near by. After a few 

 moments of evident discussion, they pro 

 ceeded to carry out the plan of attack. One 

 crow flew down to the ground and gave a 

 peck at the end of the dog's tail. Topsy at 

 once turned to resent this attack in the rear, 

 whilst the other crow flew down and bore the 

 bone away in triumph. 



The same dog had a favourite resting- 

 place in an easy-chair, and was very often 

 deprived cf it by a dog which came as visitor 

 to the house. Topsy did not approve of this, 



