INSTANCES OF ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE 141 



A young bird will open its mouth and cry for 

 food upon the approach of its parents. A chicken, 

 as soon as it is out of the shell, will pick up grains 

 of wheat, hide itself under the wings of the hen, 

 and fly from the approach of danger. Cattle feed- 

 ing in the pasture are more skilful than man in dis- 

 criminating between herbs or plants, for they easily 

 discern what kinds are good for food, what for 

 medicine, and what are to be shunned as poison. 



This important fact has often been mentioned by 

 ancient writers. Pliny said that it was a shame 

 that all animals knew what was healthful for them- 

 selves except man. They perform not only what 

 may be termed simple actions caused by necessity, 

 but complex actions where choice can come only 

 from reason. They will travel a great distance to 

 find a cool place in the shade ; will return to their 

 former homes when transported for hundreds of 

 miles away ; and will remember their friends after 

 many years' absence. Birds, by reason of spring- 

 time, choose a companion, enter into wedlock by a 

 solemn manner of espousal, and are true to death. 

 They select a fit place for building their nest or 

 habitation, and make it most artistic and beautiful, 

 beyond the skill of a human architect. They lay 



