24 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



remarkable characteristics, and it often appears, 



in its manifestations, to pass the limit of mere 



instinct. In birds, instances of it are 



SAGACITY- 



not so numerous or so well known, but 

 there are some species which evince no small 

 share of contrivance and skill in action. 



It is well observed by Mr. Thompson, that all 

 these faculties and propensities we have noticed 

 in animals become usually more developed in a 

 state of confinement, and consequently of tuition, 

 than in their natural wild condition. Hence the 

 extraordinary sagacity observed in animals more 

 or less under the control and management of man. 



Birds, those " free denizens of air," are, neces- 

 sarily, far less influenced by our actions, and 

 beyond the reach of our training; yet, accurate 

 observers have found them showing an instinc- 

 tive foresight, caution, and cleverness truly sur- 

 prising. 



Many birds can by no means be induced to 

 touch anything which would be injurious to 

 them. For instance, if flies be given to young 

 ducks, they will greedily devour them ; but when 

 bees are placed before them they will look at 

 them, with their little heads on one side, but never 

 touch one. 



Two remarkable instances of instinctive sagacity 

 in the crow family are mentioned by one of our 



