410 The Outline of Science 



comings of others, and the general look of mental superiority to 

 ordinary folk." 1 



The Raven has the reputation of being one of the longest- 

 lived birds; it enjoys a reputation also for mimicry. If you climb 

 to its roosting-place on some mountain precipice you may hear "in 

 the silence of the hills how the ravens croon themselves to sleep, 

 uttering reminiscences of the sounds they have been listening to 

 throughout the day." Mr. F. B. Kirkman, in The British Bird 

 Book, writes: "From the growing congregation on the ridge there 

 descended through the thickening dusk the strangest of evensongs 

 a weird, wild medley of many sounds: the barking of dogs, the 

 bleating of goats, the lowing of cows, the becking of grouse calling 

 across the moorland, and now and then the deep-belling challenge 

 of the stag." Their intelligence is almost uncanny, and when we 

 think that they are of savage character and have a deep, harsh, hu- 

 man-like voice, we can imagine some explanation of the evil repu- 

 tation of the bird, and the sombre superstitions associated with it. 



7 

 Social Life 



It has to be confessed that we have a great deal to learn 

 about the inner life of birds. It is difficult to get mentally in 

 touch with them ; they have evolved on a different plane from our 

 own. Our sense of kinship with animals is still something novel, 

 but it is ever widening and deepening as we view it more closely 

 and with clearer vision : may we not claim this as one of the steps 

 in the progress of Evolution? 



With birds, as with mammals, there are many phases of social 

 life. Some species of birds are more social in their relationship 

 than others ; in some there is a more advanced state of community 

 than others. With individuals there may exist mutual friendship ; 

 companionship between two birds of the same species, or even 

 between birds of different species, is often seen. 



1 Francis Heatherly, The Falcon at the Eyrie, 



