78 
COMPARATIVE PHRENOLOGY. 
over-reach and deceive in every transaction; the illustrious Burns ably describes 
the operation of this propensity, and says— 
“ Conceal yoursel as weel’s ye c-m, 
Frae critical dissection, 
But keek thro’ ev’ry other man 
Wi’ sharpened sly inspection.” 
If we contemplate actions performed under the influence of strong Secretiveness, 
whether in Man, in animals or in birds, we shall find them all characterized by 
cunning and slyness. The natural language of the faculty is similar, the position 
of the head sideways, or the peculiar position of the eyes indicating a strong 
desire to see, and if possible avoid being seen : then the stealthy gait, the step 
slow and noiseless, and a gravity which the superficial mistake for seriousness of 
manner and deep reflection; but the true reading is deceit, cunning, and base¬ 
ness. In the case of the Magpie, it is a curious fact that it evidently delights 
in robbery and deception, and it betrays a great sense of pleasure when it has the 
power of concealing anything, even if useless to itself. 
In order to show that these statements are neither fanciful nor meretricious, 
but founded in nature, let a comparison be made between the skull of the Mag¬ 
pie and the skull of the Carrion Crow, and the contrast will be most striking. 
Instead of Secretiveness being large in the latter, it will immediately be seen 
that Destructiveness and Cautiousness are both large, and also Adhesiveness, the 
Crow's head being broad and low, with great breadth behind, and yet long from 
the back to the front. As the habits of the Carrion Crow are well known, I 
need only remark, that he builds his nest on very high trees, and fights for his 
“ lady love ** with a most chivalrous devotedness, not caring to live if he has a 
rival in her .affections. 
The very circumstance that Crows pair, and their whole domestic arrange¬ 
ments, indicate strong natural attachment, independent of the amative instinct. 
Again, if we compare the skull of the Carrion Crow with that of the Rook, there 
are certain points of resemblance, as well as in their habits and predilections ; 
but the latter has more Self-esteem, is more stately and overbearing, and may 
therefore show more resistance to a common enemy. 
Finally, we may examine skulls of the same genus, but of different species, 
and find some modification of form, indicative of their different habits. Thus the 
skulls of the Common Buzzard and the Kite have many points of resemblance, 
but the eye soon discovers the modifications of which we have been speaking. 
In my next I will give some account of the Warblers, and the harmony 
between their habits and cerebral organization. 
( To be continued.) 
