J. 4, BOWLES. 139 
INSTINCT IN BIRDS. 
BY J. H. BOWLES, PONKAPOG, MASS, 
_ Ithas always seemed to me rather strange that more has 
not been written upon this subject; for, in the study of birds 
their natural instincts, which sometimes approach very close 
to reasoning, have always been a source of great interest to 
me. I do not intend, in this paper, to refer to any tricks 
that have been taught them by civilization, nor the more 
common instincts, such as nest-building, migration and the 
like, but simply to a few instances in emergencies that I have 
noticed during my trips. 
The methods employed for the preservation of their eggs 
and young are in some cases well worthy of attention. For 
example : a few years ago I found a nest of the Towhee 
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus), containing four very young birds, 
and about 100 yards away a nest of the Blue Jay (Cyano- 
citta cristata), with four young almost ready to leave the 
nest. Happening to pass the place a few days later, I saw 
the Jays fly from the Towhee’s nest, and, as it was empty, 
I at once surmised that the Jays had disposed of its con- 
tents. Having my rifle with me, I went to their nest and, 
after flushing the parent bird, shot at her. She dropped to 
the ground as if dead, but, upon my approaching her, flew 
off as well as ever, screaming with satisfaction I thought, at 
the success of the ruse she had played upon me. Some 
will think that the bird was stunned by the ball passing 
close to the head without actually striking it; but I have 
frequently knocked down birds in this manner, and they have 
