1893.] Animal Inteiligence. 943 
first build a platform of sticks and twigs, all of the knots and 
short twigs being turned toward the ground, thus giving a 
perfectly smooth floor. The bower, an oblong, oval structure, 
open at both ends, is then erected on this platform. This is 
also made of twigs, with all projections turned outward. The 
entrance to this bower is decorated with feathers, bones, 
shells, mosses and, in fact, any gaily colored article which the 
bird can procure. Evidences of intelligence in the higher 
orders of animals are so patent that even the most casual and 
superficial observer can see them. The cat, the horse, and the 
dog are nearer to man in his daily life than any other animal, 
and instances of their intelligence are very numerous. 
I present here a letter of Mr. J. Gibson Taylor, Owensboro, 
Ky., in which he relates a remarkable instance of ratiocination 
inadog. “The dog, a water spaniel, had gone after a stick 
flung upon the ice of a pond about twenty feet distant from 
shore. The water was about five feet deep. The ice gave 
way. The dog went under the water several times in swim- 
ming about the enlarged space made by attempting to regain 
the surface of the ice, which gave way under his weight. He 
became thoroughly chilled by much confused swimming 
about in afcircle, seeking some point at which the ice would 
bear his weight. I reached alimb to him and calling him by 
name shortly got his attention. He placed his paws upon the 
ice and seemed to listen intently as I extended the limb tow- 
ard him, the ice, meanwhile, sinking under his weight as he 
looked at me. He caught the limb between his teeth and I 
assisted him by pulling him toward me upon the thicker ice 
inshore. Finally the ice became strong enough, about 15 
feet from shore to sustain his weight. So, still with his teeth 
locked on the stick, I pulled him on the thicker ice and 
across the surface to the shore.” 
Here the dog, fully seeing his danger, and Su detotaidin: 
the purport of the stick thrust out to him by his master, 
grasped it with his teeth, and held on until he was dragged 
into safety. Could man do more or reason better? 
