REASON. 
137 
of canal, and then, swimming towards each other, drive 
the fish before them. Hobby Hawks (Falco subbuteo ) will 
catch Swallows in company, which they could not do 
singly, the latter being too quick for them, so one of the 
pair flies above the enemy and the other below, in such a 
position as to intercept the Swallow when driven towards 
it. Rooks, according to Naumann’s experience, the 
most destructive enemies of the cockchaffer, shake that 
destructive beetle from the houghs of trees, while others 
of their species devour the fallen prey: this must 
certainly be called systematic hunting ! 
We have known, however, other quite different proofs 
of reason in birds from the examples hitherto given. 
Long intercourse with the most gifted of these creatures, 
especially when in captivity, gives every observer the 
opportunity of witnessing in birds what to him has 
hitherto appeared incredible. It would take up too much 
space were I to relate everything bearing upon this 
subject which has come under my notice. I must, 
therefore, limit myself to some few striking examples. 
It is well known with what ease birds may be taught to 
pull up seed in a little bucket hung up in their cage. It 
is • equally well known that Canaries may be trained 
to go through some portions of military exercise: they 
will carry a small gun, fire it off, fall down and lay as 
though dead, &c. These accomplishments give us just 
cause for astonishment; and yet they are nothing in 
comparison with those of other birds. A trained Falcon 
accomplishes incomparably more than a tame Canary or 
Greenfinch. She gives the lie to her natural character 
when enlisted in man’s service; becomes, like the dog, 
the slave of her lord; and renounces all her former habits 
of life to serve him. The Falcon does not serve against 
