142 GLASS AVES. 



Goldfinches in cages may be instructed to perform many little 

 tricks. Perroquets were exhibited in Paris in 1803, and some 

 Java sparrows in London a few years ago, which had been 

 taught many amusing exercises. Canaries and other small 

 birds exhibit a considerable degree of familiar attachment. 



It may be noticed, that the intelligence of birds is more con- 

 siderable in proportion as we proceed from the palmipedes, 

 through the grallse and gallinacea to the perching birds, the 

 accipitres, the passeres, and particularly the picoides, the 

 coraces, and the climbers. Accordingly, the cerebellum of 

 these birds is more voluminous. The last-mentioned birds 

 have also a shorter neck, and a head generally more bulky in 

 proportion to the body. Were animals to be classed accord- 

 ing to the scale of their intelligence, the psittacidse should come 

 first among the birds ; and then other intelligent and docile 

 species. While the palmipedes, many of the grallse, and the 

 imbecile ostrich, with its long neck and weak brain, should be 

 removed to the end of the list. If Nature has given to man 

 the first rank among terrestrial animals, not on account of his 

 size, or corporeal strength, which are considerably inferior to 

 those of many others, but by reason of the great superiority of 

 his intellect; doubtless, the species most highly gifted in this re- 

 spect, deserve the foremost places in their respective classes. 



Parrots are capable of being taught a thousand things, which 

 require not only docility and flexibility of organization, but also 

 considerable memory, and some glimpses of reason. The Ame- 

 rican Indians employ their leisure not unfrequently in instruct- 

 ing these birds, and thus dissipate that ennui which is as liable 

 to creep into the hut of the savage, as into the palace of the 

 king. 



The jacana, one of the grallse, is capable of being made a 

 faithful servant to man. It can be taught to watch the flocks, 

 take its regular rounds, call back the sheep when they stray, 

 with a loud voice, and force them to return with strokes of its 

 beak. It is only necessary to hint, in this place, at the capa- 



