CHAPTER III. 



FEATHERED FRAUDS. 



IT may not be out of place to devote a chapter of 

 this little volume to the various wiles birds display 

 and the frauds they practise, either for their own 

 concealment or the protection of their eggs and 

 young. Summer is perhaps the best time of the 

 year to study this interesting subject, for it is a 

 season when most birds are engaged in domestic 

 duties, especially those who exercise these decep- 

 tive arts. It is profoundly curious and interesting 

 to note how widely Deceit is practised by the 

 lower forms of life ; and it is most probable that 

 man acquired this objectionable trait in his 

 character from observing similar ones among 

 dumb creatures. Savage man is an acutely ob- 

 servant animal ; he sees and notes every little 

 circumstance, and is ever ready to adopt any new 

 idea, especially if he finds that it may give him 

 some advantage over his fellows. Grant this, and 

 it is easy to see how a savage might, by watching 

 a bird or an insect sham death to escape detec- 

 tion, or by seeing an animal engage in some 



