Shoet Notes and Queries. 



137 



bird taking advantage of this circumstance, silently enters the nesting 

 cavity. These are a few instances of this peculiar instinct, but a 

 careful observer will see in the habits of these feathered creatures 

 innumerable instances of this and the other forms of protective instinct. 



From these remarks we may gain the following facts : — Birds 

 depositing their eggs on bare situations invariably use alluring 

 motions as a protective power ; by those nesting in dense situations, 

 silence is employed ; predaceous birds as a rule employ pugnacious 

 motions ; deceptive motions are displayed by birds whose nests are 

 but little concealed ; while birds of a general habitat resort to colour 

 and mimicry. 



It must also be remembered that birds only display their protective 

 wiles under certain circumstances, and these circumstances exist when 

 the birds see ample scope for the utilising of them. Thus, if a sand- 

 piper, rudely scared from her eggs, sees the intruder bending over 

 them, she will not put in force her protective instinct, perceiving 

 at once that the employment of it is vain, and she will utter a 

 note of anguish and despair, and fly to a short distance to watch the 

 motions of the intruder. This also clearly proves that no imitating 

 power exists within them, for if this were so, birds would always employ 

 these powers, and under all circumstances. Many birds are also 

 known to possess several of these forms of instinct, and to use them as 

 the emergencies of the case require. Thus the lapwing, or snipe, 

 will manifest a silent protective instinct in some cases, while in others 

 alluring motions will be adopted. Therefore I have no hesitation in 

 saying that all birds have doubtless been gifted with equal portions 

 of this peculiar instinct, and could, if circumstances required it, put 

 in force all their varied arts, but have, through the course of 

 endless time, adopted those motions best suited to their wants and 

 conditions of life. 



Thus has Nature bountifully supplied these feathered creatures 

 with instinct sufficient to baffle, in most cases, their natural enemies 

 — instinct which is so artfully put in force as to baffle even man him- 

 self, gifted as he is with noble, reasoning powers, which enable him 

 to be the superior and master of every other living creature. 

 Heeley, near SheflSeld. 



Elodea canadensis. — I can confirm Mr. West's observation of the 

 occurrence of this plant in isolated ponds, although I cannot offer any 

 explanation. Two instances especially occur to my mind : one is the 



