xxxiv 
INTRODUCTION. 
only constitute a part of the food it probably conveys for the 
support of its young. But the most extraordinary instinct of 
this kind known, is exhibited by the Sociable, or Republican 
Grosbeak {Ploceus socius, Cuvier), of the Cape of Good Hope. 
In one tree, according to Mr. Paterson, there could not be 
fewer than from eight hundred to one thousand of these nests, 
covered by one general roof, resembling that of a thatched 
house, and projecting over the entrance of the nest. Their 
common industry almost resembles that of bees. Beneath this 
roof there are many entrances, each of which forms, as it were, 
a regular street, with nests on either side, about two inches dis- 
tant from each other. The material which they employ in this 
building is a kind of fine grass, whose seed, also, at the same 
time serves them for food. 
That birds, besides their predilection for the resorts of men, 
are also capable of appreciating consequences to themselves 
and young, scarcely admits the shadow of a doubt ; they are 
capable of communicating their fears and nicely calculating 
the probability of danger or the immunities of favor. We talk 
of the cunning of the Fox and the watchfulness of the Weasel ; 
but the Eagle, Haw'k, Raven, Crow, Pye, and Blackbird pos- 
sess those traits of shrewdness and caution which would seem 
to arise from reflection and prudence. They well know the 
powerful weapons and wiles of civilized man. Without being 
able to smell powder, — a vulgar idea, — the Crow and Blackbird 
at once suspect the character of the fatal gun ; they will alight on 
the backs of cattle without any show of apprehension, and the 
Pye even hops upon them with insulting and garrulous playful- 
ness ; but he flies instantly from his human enemy, and seems, 
by his deprecating airs, aware of the proscription that affects 
his existence. A man on horseback or in a carriage is much 
less an object of suspicion to those wily birds than when alone ; 
and I have been frequently both amused and surprised, in the 
Southern States, by the sagacity of the Common Blackbirds in 
starting from the ploughing field, with looks of alarm, at the 
sight of a white man, as distinct from and more dangerous than 
the black slave, whose furrow they closely and familiarly fob 
