All tJie Articles of the Darwin Faith. 11 



not to attack sheep, etc., though I see that it is the 

 commonest thing possible that some dogs can never be 

 broken of the habit, and that there is not a dog in 

 existence but might be encouraged to it. 



I believe generally that " natural instincts are lost under 

 domestication," although I have the preceding fact and 

 numberless others staring me in the face to show me the 

 exact contrary, and that they are at the most but dormant, 

 and ready to be restored to their former fulness. 



I believe that young chickens have lost by habit the fear 

 of dogs and cats, although I have no possible proof what- 

 ever, and cannot possibly have any proof, that they ever 

 had such. 



I believe that the cuckoo " once upon a time " did not 

 lay her eggs in other birds' nests, but has acquired the 

 habit by degrees, some " old bird " or other profiting by 

 the mistake, or the young being made stronger by it, viz., 

 by being tended by a foster parent instead of by their 

 natural one, and so becoming " apt to follow " that 

 unnatural practice; and this though I see that various 

 birds " occasionally " lay their eggs in other birds nests', 

 and yet have acquired no such habit. 



