II LETTERS FROM MARCO 221 



II 



Mr. Bartlett at the Zoo Kissing of Birds Chinamen Hawks 

 Swans Owls in Pigeon-house Rooks Rook and Swan's 

 Egg Mr. Bartlett. 



2yd May 1892. 



MY DEAR GEORGE I have just returned 

 from an hour at the Zoo, where I have had a 

 talk with Mr. Bartlett, the superintendent. As 

 regards the " kissing " of birds, he says many 

 birds do clasp their bills together, and it is 

 no doubt a form of caressing prior to love- 

 making ; but as to calling it " kissing," he 

 says that is but a sentimental way of looking 

 at it. The Chinaman does not kiss his wife, 

 but licks her face as a cat does that of her 

 kittens ; with doves and pigeons the act of 

 " kissing " is to propel half digested food into 

 each other's mouths, in the same way as they 

 feed their young. 



