/. H. BOWLES. 139 



INSTINCT IN BIRDS. 



BY J. H. BOWLES, PONKAPOG, MASS. 



It has 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 eryth7-ophthalmics), containing four very young birds, 

 and about 100 yards away a nest of the Blue Jay {Cyano- 

 citta crisfata), 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 



