ON 
THE INSTINCTS OF BIRDS.. 
ane eee 
THE manners and economy of the inferior orders of 
animals form one of the most interesting subjects of 
investigation which can engage the attention of the 
philosophic naturalist. An acquaintance with this 
important but greatly neglected branch of zoology 
conduces to the correction of numerous erroneous 
opinions and groundless prejudices, and opens an in- 
exhaustible source of valuable information and ra- 
tional amusement. It throws much light also on the 
operations of that mysterious agency which regulates 
those actions of animated beings that, although at- 
tended with consciousness, do not result from obser- 
vation, instruction, experience, or reflection, and 
have therefore generally been termed  nstinctive 
actions. 
When we consider how many creatures are objects 
of superstitious dread or veneration, and what multi- 
tudes, even in this enlightened age and country, are 
sacrificed annually to mistaken notions of their mis- 
chievous properties, reason and humanity are alike 
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