INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 21 



other, and cleave the surface of the water with 

 outstretched neck and flapping wings, throwing 

 the spray in showers about them. 



Birds of the pie kind, which have much of the 

 monkey nature in them, are full 'of mischief^ play, 

 and mimicry. Many stories in point are told of 

 pet birds of this description ; tame magpies, 

 especially delight in playing strange tricks. One 

 of them is said to have been seen busily engaged 

 in a garden, gathering pebbles, and with much 

 gravity dropping them into a hole about eighteen 

 inches deep, which had been made to receive a 

 post. After each stone it dropped, the bird cried, 

 currack ! in a triumphant note, and immediately 

 set off for another. On examination, a poor toad 

 was found in the hole, which the magpie was 

 stoning for his amusement.* 



Much has been said as to the exciting cause of 

 the song of birds, some attributing it to 

 one cause, and some to another. Probably T^ A " 

 various causes combine to produce so delight 

 ful an expression of the little creature's emotions. 

 Emulation must undoubtedly be regarded as one 

 powerful provocative to song. Caged birds are 

 frequently observed to sing against each other. 



A very remarkable story is told by Mr. Jesse 



* See " Passions of Animals," p. 63. 



