INTRODUCTION. 28 



CHAPTER III 



" INSTINCT " (Continued). 



IT results from all the facts stated, that as regards the 

 instincts of birds a mass of tales and fancies have been 

 generally and hastily believed, which have been carelessly 

 repeated from one to the other without any trouble being 

 taken to verify them, which really have not been 

 proved, and which are shown by accurate observation to be 

 either quite erroneous or at least very much exaggerated. 

 As a common-place example of this kind may be cited the 

 well-known instances, generally esteemed as proofs of in- 

 stinct, as to poultry and ducks. It is said that young chickens, 

 when they have developed to their full size in the egg, 

 break their shells, quit them, and at once stand on their 

 feet, run, and peck grain and insects from the ground ; thus 

 arises a whole series of very complicated motions, directed 

 to a certain aim, without any teaching, example or ex- 

 perience coming in. Just the same is told of young ducks, 

 which in addition give an especial proof of instinct, in that 

 as soon as they leave the eggshell, they run to the water 

 and swim about therein. This last feat is said to be done 

 by young ducks hatched under hens, which therefore cannot 

 be led to swim by any maternal allurement, and the poor 

 foster-mothers are said to stand in despair, because they see 

 their nurslings torn from their protection, and are not able 

 to follow them. 



This all seems so natural that it is generally accepted 

 without demur, and would indeed, were it true, scarcely 

 seem to leave doubtful the existence of instinct in the earlier 

 accepted sense. But, in reality, matters are very different. 

 That which occurs immediately before the escape of the 

 chicken from the egg does not depend on the independent 

 action of the young bird, but takes place in quite mechanical 



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