HUMAN NATURE IN DUMB CREATURES 



up his mind that it is bedtime he stretches his neck 

 a few times, first in one direction and then in an- 

 other, and takes a look at the top of the stable with 

 one eye and then with the other and at last makes 

 a flying leap or a leaping fly that lands him on the 

 ridge-board. That would be all right if he were sat- 

 isfied after he got there, but he is not. He insists 

 on roosting on the extreme north end of the ridge- 

 board and he always flies up on the south end. There 

 is no reason why he should not fly up at the north 

 end but he never does it and I am inclined to think 

 from watching his actions that he flies up on the 

 south end on purpose. Anyway, as soon as he gets 

 up and gets his balance he starts to walk towards 

 the north along the ridge-board. As soon as he 

 comes to the first of his offspring he gives a sharp 

 peck with his bill and the youngster gets up squeak- 

 ing and moves along ahead of him. Presently he has 

 them all huddled on the ridge-board along the north 

 end and the fun begins. The polite thing for him to 

 do would be to step down on the shingles and walk 

 around them, but does he do it.'' I should say not. 

 He gives the nearest youngster a vicious peck that 

 makes him jump in the air and land sprawling a few 

 feet down on the shingles. In rapid succession he 



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