The Mentality of Wild Birds and Beasties 



family in which instinct is highly developed. The dear 

 old French naturalist would no doubt have been less 

 severe and scornful at the expense of a fellow-student 

 had he dreamed of what another translator would 

 accomplish in the way of error for him. On page 

 200 of Fabre's book, " Insect Life," the appearance 

 and habit of the white wagtail are described with 

 minute fidelity, but alas ! the bird is labelled a grey 

 wagtail. 



How very difficult it is to understand the other 

 fellow's view-point, let alone that of a bird or beast. 

 Fabre, a typically Gallic Frenchman, will find tears of 

 emotion rising to his eyes " whenever he discovers a new 

 fact or verifies a long-cherished suspicion in regard to 

 the habits of an insect," but listen to him on the 

 wanton destruction of a beloved song bird. Writing of 

 shooting larks attracted by the glimmer of a mirror 

 lying amidst sparkling dewdrops on some sunlit plain, 

 he says : " The lark comes with dipping flight, anxious 

 for a close inspection of the bright thing or odd bird 

 [a reference to the reflection of itself in the glass]. 

 There it is, some fifteen paces away its feet hanging, 

 its wings outspread like a saint [esprit]. The 

 moment has come ; aim and fire ! I hope that my 

 readers may experience the emotions of this delightful 

 sport." 



I come of a race of sportsmen and have been a keen 

 one all my life, but the only emotion I should feel if 

 compelled to raise a gun at such a divine feathered 

 vocalist as the sklark would be one of unutterable 



