OF SELBORNE 127 



passion is not indulged ; besides, during the amorous 

 season, such a jealousy prevails between the male birds 

 that they can hardly bear to be together in the same hedge 

 or field. Most of the singing and elation of spirits of that 

 time seem to me to be the effect of rivalry and emulation : 

 and it is to this spirit of jealousy that I chiefly attribute the 

 equal dispersion of birds in the spring over the face of the 

 country. 



Now as to the business of food : as these animals are 

 actuated by instinct to hunt for necessary food, they should 

 not, one would suppose, crowd together in pursuit of 

 sustenance at a time when it is most likely to fail ; yet 

 such associations do take place in hard weather chiefly, and 

 thicken as the severity increases. As some kind of self- 

 interest and self-defence is no doubt the motive for the 

 proceeding, may it not arise from the helplessness of their 

 state in such rigorous seasons ; as men crowd together, 

 when under great calamities, though they know not why ? 

 Perhaps approximation may dispel some degree of cold ; 

 and a crowd may make each individual appear safer from 

 the ravages of birds of prey and other dangers. 



If I admire when I see how much congenerous birds 

 love to congregate, I am the more struck when I see 

 incongruous ones in such strict amity. If we do not much 

 wonder to see a flock of rooks usually attended by a train 

 of daws, yet it is strange that the former should so fre- 

 quently have a flight of starlings for their satellites. Is it 

 because rooks have a more discerning scent than their 

 attendants, and can lead them to spots more productive of 

 food ? Anatomists say that rooks, by reason of two large 

 nerves which run down between the eyes into the upper 

 mandible, have a more delicate feeling in their beaks than 

 other round-billed birds, and can grope for their meat 

 when out of sight. Perhaps then their associates attend 

 them on the motive of interest, as greyhounds wait on the 

 motions of their finders ; and as lions are said to do on 

 the yelpings of jackals. Lapwings and starlings sometimes 

 associate. 



