ON THE INSTINCTS OF BIRDS. 139 
The Pied and Yellow Wagtails run close to the 
legs and noses of cattle which are grazing, in pursuit 
of the insects disturbed by them: the same motive 
also induces these and many other birds to follow the 
husbandman when he is busy with the plough or 
harrow ; and the Redbreast attends the gardener in 
his labours, and seizes the worms which he turns up 
with his spade. 
Mr. White* states that the Great Titmouse in 
severe weather frequents houses, and in deep snows, 
as it hangs with its back downwards, draws straws 
lengthwise from the eaves of those buildings which 
are thatched, in order to pull out the flies that are 
concealed between them; and I have seen Hooded 
Crows, on the eastern coast of Ireland, after many 
unavailing efforts to break with their beaks some of 
the mussels on which they were feeding, fly with 
them to a great height in the air, and, by letting 
them fall on the stony beach, fracture their shells, 
and thus get possession of the contents. Perhaps it 
would not be easy to select a more striking example 
of intelligence among the feathered tribes than this, 
where, on one expedient proving unsuccessful after a 
in order that when the Hawk quits its prize it may be able to 
secure the fish before it reaches the water. As the Fish-Hawks 
are not capable of contending individually with the White-headed 
Eagle, they sometimes combine together in considerable numbers 
to expel the marauder from their haunts. 
* «Natural History of Selborne,’ p. 106. 
