3i8 IN THE GUIANA FOREST 



of their condition, and therefore they get it. And 

 here we must draw the distinction between poly- 

 gamy and monogamy; Nature abhors promiscuous 

 sexual intercourse. In the case of polygamous 

 animals, only the mother takes care of the young ; 

 monogamous species require and get the attention 

 of both parents; it follows, therefore, that monogamy 

 is higher from the altruistic standpoint. The best 

 example of a polygamous bird is the domestic 

 fowl ; the cock does not know his children. 

 Wild horses and cattle are also polygamous, but 

 here the father does something to protect his 

 females and their little ones. 



It is, however, in animals that pair where 

 altruism becomes patent. The pigeon is a well- 

 known example ; every one knows how the doves 

 display their solicitude for their mates and 

 parental care for their little ones. The little wren 

 is called " God's bird " by the negroes, and both 

 father and mother display a very high type of 

 affection for their little ones, even going so far 

 as to feed the young of the lazy bird which has 

 the habit of the cuckoo. Sometimes the father 

 and mother work very hard to feed these sturdy 

 bastards as well as their own nestlings. 



Fishes are considered as cold in their affections 

 as in their blood, Nevertheless, they are often 



