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of place here. It seems very unfortunate that so many are 

 too much engrossed with matter-of-fact views that little or no 

 room or time remains for sentiment. Yet what harm does it do 

 us ? What time does it take to hll it and enjoy it ? V/hat a 

 comforting and cheering influence it has upon our flagging 

 spirits, and what an influence it might have upon our lives were 

 we to thoughtfully study the simplicity and ready obedience of 

 living forms to an unseen director called instinct. 



How strikingly human are the characteristics displayed, and 

 how difl&cult it is for us to determine where reason begins and 

 instinct ends. Where do we see a more striking exemplification 

 of human characteristics than may be seen in the mother grouse 

 as she leads her newly hatched chicks about ? Her pride as she 

 leads them along before the scrutinizing gaze of her neighbors 

 who show striking resemblances to admiration, disdain or 

 even jealousy. See the pleasure and curiosity the little 

 creatures show as they run peeping about exploring every 

 cranny, the affectionate manner in which she seems to talk to 

 them and her anxiety and alertness for danger as you put in an 

 appearance and she fully realizes the helplessness of her family. 

 See her courage and devotion in risking^' her own life as she 

 says to them " hide quick while I lead the brute away," when 

 suddenly she feigns injury flapping along in a semi-helpless 

 manner and leads you on a chase after her. She is just in 

 your grasp, you think, when suddenly the ruse is complete. You 

 have been deceived and decoyed away, the wing is suddenly 

 repaired and with a bound she is off while you stand and gaze 

 with open eyes and mouth after her, or feel disgusted with your- 

 self for being fooled by a bird. 



Again we see the instant obedience of the chicks to the 

 mother's voice as she directs them to hide or calls them to her 

 side again after you are out of sight (and breath). 



Again we see the vanity of the male as he struts about 

 drumming to his mate, the modesty with which she accepts his 

 attentions and vows of love, the constancy with which she at- 

 tends her domestic duties while her fickle lord frequently goes off" 

 with his comrades leaving his faithful wife to look after the family. 



