220 CLASS AVES. 



Next come the grand division of the Eagles. Pursuant to 

 our plan, we shall here avoid a repetition of, or enlargement 

 on, the generic and specific details of the text, and keep clear 

 of the thorny path of nomenclature. Linneeus comprehended 

 the eagles, with many other groups, under his genus falco ; 



instruction. Every method of securing' and concentrating' this attention 

 must be adopted. This is the object of liooding- the falcons before and 

 after they receive their lesson, to prevent distraction ; but tlie coercive, 

 and often cruel measures resorted to with animals, are calculated to pro- 

 duce a direct contrary effect. Chastisement, moderately used, may be 

 sometimes necessary, to fix the desired association in the sensorium, but if 

 carried too far, it produces too strong- an image of itself, to admit of any 

 other. The animal is occupied with nothing- but the violence of his imme- 

 diate sensations, and cannot attend to the idea with which you mean to 

 impress him. But, in fact, experience proves, that mild methods are the 

 best in general. The docility of the Arab horse, which is the companion 

 and friend of his master, and never ill used, is an eminent proof of this. 

 The same observation is applicable to dogs. One of the principal reasons 

 of the distrust, and want of docility evinced by cats is, the general ill 

 treatment they receive. I am aware that some animals require a more 

 severe discipline than others. (Indeed, nothing- is so requisite in the 

 education of animals, as a profound study of specific and individual pecu- 

 liarities, and few points are less profoundly studied.) But I am certain 

 that the worst discipline is the discipline of blows : judicious privation 

 will answer all purposes much better. The account which we have given 

 of the training of the gerfalcon is a good illustration of this point. 



There is no doubt that education might be much more extended in the 

 animal kingdom than it is. We have seen, in the case of rapacious birds, 

 what the industry, perseverance, ingenuity, and judgment of man, is 

 capable of effecting in this way. Had he a sufficient motive to exert 

 these qualities in the instruction of other wild animals, many more might 

 be reclaimed, and rendered subservient to his purposes. In short, I 

 believe, that all vertebrated animals that can at a;ll be brought under the 

 control of man, are susceptible of instruction: instances of this are not 

 wanting even among fishes. The only thing is, to hit on right methods, which 

 can alone be done by long and partial observation. But, to pronounce an 

 aniuial untameable, because we cannot tame him, by the hacknied, and, in 

 many respects, injudicious systems pursued with domesticated races, is 

 unphilosophical and absurd in the highest degree. — E. P. 



