CHAPTER V 



THE MENTALITY OF WILD BIRDS AND BEASTIES 



ALTHOUGH the mentality of wild animals is an 

 -*- extremely interesting subject, it is by no means 

 easy to study, because of the difficulty in making exact 

 observations in the first place and, in the second, decid- 

 ing with certainty whether any given action is the result 

 of exercised intelligence or of an unconscious inspira- 

 tion, which for the want of a more informing term we 

 call instinct. It must also be confessed that man him- 

 self does not occupy an ideal position from which to 

 form entirely unprejudiced judgments. His own 

 achievements in mental evolution have been so great 

 that he is liable to consider himself above and beyond 

 rather than of the Animal Kingdom. Fortunately, or 

 unfortunately, the science of biology proves his position, 

 and he must accept it. 



When we consider what an immense gulf is fixed 

 between the brain power of a Newton and a navvy, or 

 compare the intelligence of a sheep-dog with that of a 

 slow-worm, we begin to realize something of the 

 difficulties of the subject. 



Nearly everybody who has kept or had intimate con- 

 cern with domestic animals of any species is aware 

 of the fact that well-marked traits of individuality 

 constantly manifest themselves. Precisely the same 



67 



