126 
NATURE NOTES 
however, in spite of their nature, do know why they bark, and 
why they bite. They bark as a warning, and if that is not 
sufficient they take stronger measures. Surely a dog bites a 
person because he knows a bite gives pain. No doubt he learned 
this in a practical way early in life from his brothers and sisters, 
and from his mother too. If any one thinks that the feline race 
do not know how to administer a caution as a punishment, let 
him take his pet cat in his lap and commence to pat it. Let the 
action of the hand be strengthened till the cat shows resentment, 
which he will do by giving a gentle nip of the offending hand, as 
much as to say, “please do not do it.” Let a stranger attempt 
such liberties with the animal and he will soon feel a sharp bite that 
will make his hand bleed. Are we to suppose that the Australian 
bower bird takes no conscious delight in the pretty things with 
which he adorns his play place, and in the gay feathers he 
carries in his bill to show his mate ? If we allow his acts to be 
conscious, we must also allow that the butcher bird acts con- 
sciously as he impales an insect on a thorn. 
Struggle for existence, one of the inexorable laws by which 
all forms on the Earth are ruled, of its very nature implies cruelty. 
The powerful domineering over the weak and denying them the 
right to live. The rule that the weak must go to the wall holds 
good all the world over. There is very little standing still or 
idly folding the hands; forward, onward, is the general rule, and 
the penalty of lagging behind in Nature’s race is annihilation ; 
it is indeed vce victis. 
Another form of the same law, the law of battle, has much 
the same result as the individual struggle for existence ; for by 
it progress and improvement are ensured, and deterioration and 
retrogression are effectually kept in check. In each case the 
strongest survives. 
Birds sing from two motives. The male exerts his vocal 
powers to the utmost so as to charm his lady-love ; and the 
best songsters are the most successful suitors. But they also 
sing in rivalry with other males. One cock crows against 
another, challenges to mortal combat, and they then fight the 
matter out. They know perfectly well what they are doing and 
what the stakes are, and no mercy is shown to the vanquished. 
The fights, then, amongst male animals for the possession of the 
female, are consciously undertaken and deliberately cruel. The 
strongest win the day, become the parents of vigorous children, 
and thus keep the race up to a high standard. 
It would be easy to multiply instances showing that the lower 
animals are more or less conscious agents, but perhaps enough 
has been said to whet the appetites of those who do not think 
they are, and to start an interesting discussion in Nature 
Notes. 
Man, the highest of God’s creatures, should never unneces- 
sarily inflict pain on those beneath him. The merciful deer- 
stalker at once ends the life of the buck that has fallen to his 
