204 



Wild Birds 



In popular language, by the "habits" of an animal, we mean 

 its manner of life in general, while a habit in the restricted sense 

 is something which the animal learns or acquires. It is asso- 

 ciated with pleasure, and by frequent repetition may become 

 fixed or stereotyped. 



Fig. 124. Cock Robin taking a 



Under some conditions habits are formed with surprising 

 quickness. The habit may be of trifling significance and have 

 only a brief reign, but no habits are absolutely rigid, and the 

 genesis of all is probably the same, pleasurable consequences 

 following repeated actions which may be forced or accidental. 

 The result is in all cases similar, a mental association of certain 

 things with certain actions. 



