ANIMAL INSTINCT. 



natives they are away to sunnier regions and more 

 grateful food. 



June 14. I was much pleased this day by 

 detecting the stratagems of a common wren to con- 

 ceal its nest from observation. It had formed a 

 hollow space in the thatch, on the inside of my 

 cow-shed, in which it had placed its nest by the 

 side of a rafter, and finished it with its usual neat- 

 ness ; but lest the orifice of its cell should engage 

 attention, it had negligently hung a ragged piece 

 of moss on the straw- work, concealing the entrance, 

 and apparently proceeding from the rafter ; and so 

 perfect was the deception, that I should not have 

 noticed it, though tolerably observant of such 

 things, had not the bird betrayed her secret, and 

 darted out. Now from what operative cause did 

 this stratagem proceed ? Habit it was not ; it 

 seemed like an after-thought ; danger was per- 

 ceived, and the contrivance which a contemplative 

 being would have provided, was resorted to. The 

 limits of instinct we cannot define* : it appeared 



* I know not any definition of what we term "animal instinct" 

 more comprehensive ad accordant with truth than the following, 

 given in the Elements of Entomology by Messrs. Kirby and 

 Spence. " Without pretending to give a logical definition of it, (in- 

 stinct,) which, while we are ignorant of the essence of reason, is 

 impossible, we may ^call the instincts of animals those unknown 

 faculties implanted in their constitutions by the Creator, by which, 

 independent of instruction, observation, or experience, and without a 

 knowledge of the end in view, they are impelled to the performance 

 of certain actions tending to the well-being of the individual, and 

 preservation of the species." 



