INTRODUCTION. Xxi 



remainder of these tribes live on fruit ; and most of the 

 Conirostres on grain, as well as partially on fruit and in- 

 sects. The more typical of the Tenuirostral tribe live on 

 honey, as also on small insects and spiders, and some 

 on flower-buds ; whilst the Honey- eaters of Australia eat 

 both honey and pollen. The Water-birds live cliiefly on 

 shells, slugs, and various aquatic insects, with fish and frogs; 

 a few on seeds, buds, and vegetable substances. A few graze 

 on young grass or grain. Most birds seek their food by 

 day ; a few by night, and these have a remakably soft and 

 dingy plumage. Many birds drink habitually, others do 

 not. Birds of prey in confinement will usually drink, but 

 they do not appear always to do so. Most perchers, except 

 someof theFissirostres and Scansores, drink, as do all Game 

 birds and Pigeons ; whilst most Waders and water-birds 

 take in with their usual food sufficient water to serve 

 them. 



The general intelligence of birds cannot be said to rank 

 high, though their powers of instinct are unequalled. 

 The Crows, as a family, are considered by some, and per- 

 haps with justice, as the most perfect and intelligent of 

 birds, but they neither recognise the egg of the Cuckoo 

 when deposited in their own nest, nor the difference be- 

 tween the young Cuckoo and their own offspring. Some 

 naturalists look on Parrots as the most perfect of birds, 

 and they do exhibit certain signs of intelligence ; but their 

 whole habits and inferior instincts rank them^ in my opinion, 

 much below many other Insessorial birds. Many birds 

 evince great intelligence in avoiding dangers, and also 

 in the way in which they obtain their food ; but, still, their 

 chief actions are guided by instinct rather than intelli- 

 gence ; and many birds are remarkably stupid. Birds 

 possess imagination, for they dream ; and memory, for 



