BIRDS AND MAN 53 



" take pleasure in the consciousness of one 

 another's company ; " but he appears to hmit 

 the feeling to those of the same herd, or flock, 

 or species. Speaking of the mental processes of 

 the cow, he tells us just how that large mammal 

 is impressed by the sight of birds that come near 

 it and pass across its field of vision ; they are 

 regarded in a vague way as mere shadows, or 

 shadowy objects, flitting or blown about hither 

 and thither over the grass or through the air. 

 My conviction is that all animals distinctly see 

 in those of other species, living, sentient, intelli- 

 gent beings like themselves ; and that, when 

 birds and mammals meet together, they take 

 pleasure in the consciousness of one another's 

 presence, in spite of the enormous difference 

 in size, voice, habits, etc. I bfelieve that this 

 sympathy exists and is just as strong between 

 a cow and its small volatile companion, the 

 wagtail, as between a bird and mammal that 

 more nearly resemble each other in size ; for 

 instance, the partridge, or pheasant, and rabbit. 



The only bird with us that appears to have 

 some such feehng of pleasure in the company 

 of man is the robin. It is not universal, not 



