ON THE INSTINCTS OF BIRDS. 135 
which had built in a bank in my fields. This bird 
a friend and myself had observed as she sat in her 
nest, but were particularly careful not to disturb 
her, though we saw she eyed us with some degree 
of jealousy. Some days after, as we passed that 
way, we were desirous of remarking how this brood 
went on: but no nest could be found, till I hap- 
pened to take up a large bundle of long green moss, 
as it were carelessly thrown over the nest in order to 
dodge the eye of any impertinent intruder.” 
Actuated by a similar motive, old birds which 
have had their young frequently handled use every 
art to induce them to desert the nest as early as 
possible ; and I have known the Redbreast on such 
occasions take off her nestlings long before they 
could make the slightest use of their wings. That 
this mode of proceeding must be referred to intel- 
ligence, cannot, I think, be doubted, as the danger 
of allowing their progeny to remain in a state of 
insecurity is evidently perceived, and the surest means 
of avoiding it are deliberately adopted in consequence. 
Many birds, under particular circumstances, mani- 
fest a natural inclination to fight. This disposition 
is remarkably conspicuous in the Ruff, the Quail, and 
the Domestic Cock. That the feeling is innate and 
dependent upon organization is clearly proved by the 
established fact that careful breeding and training 
exercise a powerful influence upon the last species 
with regard to this propensity. 
