1883.] Psychology. 103 
to know it was only a common red-breast. The last three years 
the piano has been silent much of the fime, and he has quite for- 
gotten the songs he once followed, though still his notes are by 
no means those of the ordinary robin. 
For his wild congeners-he has never manifested any regard, and 
though when hanging out of doors they would sometimes perch 
upon his cage, especially the female robins, he never seemed to 
notice them. For persons he has always manifested an unques- 
tionable preference, seldom changing his first impressions even 
upon acquaintance, and after being courted to do so by tempting 
morsels. To those he likes he will bring any loose thing at hand, 
but to others he utters a peculiarly sharp guzp, quip / runs into the 
opposite corner of his cage, turns his back and looks decidedly 
indignant. Further, when singing, if such an one enters, he stops 
immediately. His memory of persons is perhaps the most remark- 
able thing about him. We had a servant girl some four years ago 
for whom he formed a very strong attachment, replying to her 
voice whenever he heard it, near or far, by another particular note, 
and when she came to him by going through with a great many 
funny antics. He had not seen her for three years, and had 
not made those sounds nor motions. Recently she called and 
said she wondered if “ Fred” would remember her; sure enough, 
the first sound of her voice and glimpse of her presence revived 
his former habit, and he could not do enough for her. Is there 
anything beyond instinct in this ? 
Occasionally we let him out with a number of other birds in 
the sitting-room, and though so wise and so old, he has no cour- 
age to defend himself, being driven by even a little canary ; indeed, ~ 
he is miserable when out of his cage. 
During the molting period there are usually many days when 
there is no appearance of tail or wing feathers and not more than 
a half dozen feathers still clinging to his head and neck. Whether 
this shedding of so many at once is the result of his peculiar food 
and life, I cannot say, but it is almost always so. He does not 
seem to be more delicate about his food, drink and bathing at 
these times than others. ; 
He has never indicated any disposition to migrate, or even an 
uneasiness in the fall months; indeed, almost the only wild instinct 
manifested has been nest-building, tearing his paper into shreds 
and carrying them about, but not depositing them in any one 
place; nor does he incline to carry about bits of moist earth 
when they are put in his cage, as wild robins dof Though nearly 
eleven years old his feathers are as glossy as ever, and deeper in 
tint than those of his wild mates—Mary E. Holmes. ; 
Tue NESTING OF THE BLACK AND WHITE CREEPER.—Birds, as 
well as men, are strongly affected by exterior circumstances and 
surroundings. Thus their habits, numbers or even, individual 
presence in any specified district are not constant, but subject to 
