PROTECTIVE INSTINCT OF BIRDS. 15 



visiting their nest Our eyes are often diverted from 

 the bird for a few moments, and the bird, taking ad- 

 vantage of this circumstance, silently enters the nesting 

 cavity. These are a few instances of this peculiar instinct, 

 but a careful observer will see in the habits of these 

 feathered creatures innumerable instances of this and the 

 other forms of protective instinct. 



From these remarks we may gain the following 

 facts : Birds depositing their eggs on bare situations in- 

 variably use alluring motions as a protective power ; by 

 those nesting in dense situations, silence is employed ; 

 predaceous birds as a rule employ pugnacious motions ; 

 deceptive motions are displayed by birds whose nests 

 are but little concealed ; while birds of a general habitat 

 resort to colour and mimicry. 



It must also be remembered that birds only display 

 their protective wiles under certain circumstances, and 

 these circumstances exist when the birds see ample scope 

 for the utilising of them. Thus, if a Sandpiper, rudely 

 scared from her eggs, sees the intruder bending over 

 them, she will not put in force her protective instinct, 

 perceiving at once that the employment of it is vain, and 

 she will utter a note of anguish and despair, and fly to a 

 short distance, to watch the motions of the intruder. 

 This also clearly proves that no imitating power exists 

 within them, for if this were so, birds would always 

 employ these powers, and under all circumstances. 

 Many birds are also known to possess several of these 

 forms of instinct, and use them as the emergencies of 

 the case require. Thus the Lapwing or Snipe will ma- 

 nifest a silent protective instinct in some cases, while 

 in others alluring motions will be adopted. Therefore I 

 have no hesitation in saying that all birds have doubtless 

 been gifted with equal portions of this peculiar instinct, 



