6092 



Birds. 



Reason and Instinct. — An excellent definition of the distinction between Reason 

 and Instinct is, as at appears to me, one which I learned long since (when and whence 

 it is impossible to recollect al this distant period), namely, that Reason varies its ope- 

 rations inimitably according to circumstances, whereas Instinct does not. This 

 definition may perhaps be pronounced not strictly philosophical, but its clearness and 

 simplicity (as well as accuracy) adapt it better for common persons and purposes than 

 more abstruse propositions. I have added, I believe, the word Ulimitahly to my ori- 

 ginal authority, because I am aware that instances may occasionally be noticed 

 of extraordinary contrivance in animals, not merely among the higher orders, in 

 meeting some change of their usual condition. But such departures from customary 

 routine must be considered rather the acts of individuals, than as indicating any ad- 

 vance of their species generally ; for I believe it to be an undoubted fact, and 

 one which every close observer of animal habits must have remarked, that among 

 irrational, no less than among rational creatures, different degrees of natural intelli- 

 gence exist. Besides, even when superior animal talent (so to speak) does diverge 

 somewhat from the ordinary track of its congeners, its powers of invention are speedily 

 exhausted, and not equal to continued demands upon it, as would be the case with 

 Reason. The tendency of these suggestions may be illustrated by some familar ex- 

 amples. The chaffinch, when constructing its nest, covers the outside with lichens so 

 precisely similar in colour to the branch in which it is placed, that persons will pass 

 repeatedly without perceiving it. But the bird, however often its nest may have been 

 taken, will perseveringly build in a low tree or a bush, within reach of even children, 

 instead of learning the greater security of a high tree. The house sparrow, again, 

 in some respects very far from a stupid bird, yet appears particularly so in its nidifi- 

 cation. The loose straws usually projecting from the nest render it one of the easiest 

 to be discovered, and after it has been pulled completely down, the birds will imme- 

 diately form another in the same place ; which is so constantly their habit, that the alter- 

 nation of framing and demolishing might be carried on through, perhaps, the whole 

 breeding-season. When the sparrow builds, as it very commonly does, in a tree, its 

 slovenly nest is not unfrequently blown down by a strong wind, in which case a new 

 edition is forthwith produced, in the very same position, of exactly similar materials, 

 and as utterly devoid, as the first, of any precaution against a misfortune like 

 that which has recently occurred, nor will repeated accidents teach the expediency of 

 such precautions. — Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean^ May^ 1858. 



A Plea for Birds. — In the 'Times' of this morning there is an account of 

 the appearance and destruction of a very rare bird, the hoopoe, which was shot by Mr. 

 P. Matthews, of Ongar, on Wednesday last. Permit me a brief space to protest 

 against this foolish and cruel act. The hoopoe {Upnpa epops) is an unusual visitor to 

 the British Isles, but has been met with in almost every county in England and in 

 many parts of Wales. It is a most amusing bird in its habits, of peculiar and beauti- 

 ful plumage, and, being entirely insectivorous, is perfectly harmless both in our gar- 

 dens and orchards. They are numerous in many parts of Europe, particularly in the 

 marshes near Bordeaux. They have been known to breed in this country, and would 

 doubtless increase, but the moment they appear they are wantonly destroyed, as in 



