284 Glimpses of Mind in Birds. [May, 
Somewhat similar instances have occurred, where birds have 
been slightly wounded with fine shot. The wounds have en- 
tirely healed, the locomotive powers are all restored, and yet 
the bird is quite another creature, not only in its manner in con- 
finement, but its desire for liberty, so strong in birds, has totally 
disappeared. The effects of the wounds have been to radically 
change the mental characteristics; yet, so far as determinable, 
every function of the body is in proper working order. If, then, 
it is unnatural in its ways, endeavoring to do many things to 
which it is not adapted, and which its wild associates never do, 
it is simply insane; and if insane, then there must be the essen- 
tial elements of a mind, to become either wholly or in part de- 
ranged. 
Setting aside these extreme cases of wounded birds, and look- 
ing closely at birds at large, we will find a vast difference in the 
relative vivacity and agility of our feathered friends. This dif- 
ference, of itself, is interesting ; but become familiar through gen- 
tleness with the robins and cat-birds that are building their nests 
near your homes, and make the acquaintance of the bluebirds, 
sparrows, and wrens, and every creature of the avi-fauna of your 
neighborhood, and you will surely find among them, here and 
there, some melancholy individual that has no home, if we limit 
birds’ homes to their nests, and certainly with no visible means 
of support, if it depends upon its mate to take care of him or her, 
as the case may be. These birds, unmated, moping, and almost 
voiceless, are, to say the least, eccentric. One instance in partic- 
ular is vividly recalled, that of a meadow-lark (Stwrnella magna) 
which for hours would sit upon a certain limb of a dead tree, and - 
only leave it voluntarily for a short time to feed. It never sang, 
and when on the ground did not associate with its kind, but 
trotted about with chipping sparrows, along the garden fence. 
Its one peculiarity, marked above all others, was the resentment 
with which it met the advances of its fellows. If one perchanced 
to alight on this crazy lark’s adopted home, it would be vigor- 
ously attacked, and the intruder invariably was driven off. At 
such a time it would utter a vigorous chirp, but at no other 
time did I hear any note uttered. It remained thus, in the one 
limited spot, for three weeks, and was then found lying-dead at 
the foot of the tree. Dissection showed no peculiarity in the 
anatomy of its brain or viscera, and there was no indication 
that it died either of grief or starvation. -I believe it simply a 
case of insanity. Another such case was that of a cat-bird. 
