Instinct of Birds. 221 



INSTINCT OF BIRDS. 



BY THE REV. JOHN WEBB. 



The following 1 remarkable instance of instinct (or what we are 

 pleased to call by that name) came under the observation of 

 the writer : — ■ 



1863, July 26. Scene — Mrs. M/s drawing-room. Present : 



Mrs. M , Miss C. B , Rev. J. W . Two birds in 



two separate cages on the table — an Australian parroquet in a 

 brass wire circular cage, with a hoop swing in it, the cage 

 rather too small for the bird ; a canary-bird in a cage of the 

 shape of a parallelogram, larger, but with only a perch. The 

 doors of each cage were opened, the doors of the room were 

 closed, and the birds are set at liberty. At first they flutter about 

 upon the chairs and tables, then amuse themselves by hopping 

 about upon the carpet and picking up crumbs, now and then 

 fluttering past each other without taking any particular notice. 

 They had often been let out before; it was said that the 

 canary bird was the master of the two. At last they make a 

 little nearer approach ; a few passes with the beak take place 

 between them, but with little more than a flutter. At length 

 the parroquet tries to bully his companion after the manner of 

 the tribe, by facing hint, and making a few rapid bows at him, 

 without producing any very great impression. The canary- 

 bird goes off to amuse himself, apparently not caring a straw 

 about him ; when, taking a few quiet steps (both cages having 

 been placed on the ground), the parroquet advances to the 

 door of his companion's cage — the larger cage of the two — hops 

 upon the threshold, mounts upon the perch, and takes posses- 

 sion. This feat accomplished, the other, after a few detours 

 about the room, discovers an intruder in his cage, sidles 

 towards it, looks in, does not like the state of things, flutters 

 off, makes two or three turns, hops on the threshold, looks in 

 again, and is off again. When he was gone, the intruder de- 

 scends from the perch, places himself upon the threshold, draws 

 to the door with his beak, and with his beak makes it fast. 

 What, is this an untaught bird ? Is it instinct, or is it a spark 

 of reason ? The canary-bird perceives what he has done ; got 

 to the top of his own cage (which he had done before the door 

 was shut), fluttered about to alarm the offender, who seemed 

 to take no notice of it at all : he then made an expedition into 

 the circular cage, did not like it, 'and came out again, fluttered 

 about his own cage, got on the top of it, and appeared very 

 uneasy. 



One of the party present then opened the door of the 

 canary-bird's cage, in which the intruder was sitting with 



