its first insect-I, at least, observed its ability as an insect catcher develop from almost nil to expertness. During these excursions, observations were made and data collected for the determination of the following questions: Is there an inherited discrimination in favour of the capture of certain edible insects in preference to others? If unsavoury insects are unwittingly taken into the mouth, are they swallowed? If ejected from the mouth, are there signs of disgust? When unsavoury examples are met a second time, are they avoided? To the first question I can reply that, at first, all insects were indiscriminately seized. A vile-smelling hemipteron was as tempting as a luscious grasshopper or cricket. Distinctly unsavoury insects (Tetraopes, Coccinella) were not touched a second time, except with the greatest caution; though species which were only moderately distasteful (Lema) might be taken and devoured, but without relish. In one case a large brown ant-the first found-was seized, mulled, and vigorously ejected. The next day the bird was taken to the same tree, and, on perceiving a second ant of the same species, eyed it closely and deliberately, and then shook its head and vigorously wiped its beak, with unmistakable signs of recollection. I mention this particular case, though it is not the only one, to illustrate how quickly the bird was self-taught, for the ant was only one of a dozen different species of insects which were met, and it was so instantly seized that a prolonged visual image was not gained. I might add that the kingbird subsequently refused even to try the edible qualities of a large black ant of a different species, though the bird watched the insect's movements with much interest. Profiting by mistakes, it soon learned to examine critically all strange food, before the tongue should force the contents of the mouth on towards the pharynx. Can we not, then, conclude that the forcing of acceptable food and drink into the pharynx is not "instinctive," but is the result of a series of satisfactory discoveries of the young bird, which lead up to the placing of the food where it will bring about the stimulation of the reflex centre of the gullet, and the accomplishment of the final act of swallowing?-a series which is intelligently adopted by the bird, and improved by practice. It is perhaps well, before closing, to revert to the peculiar habit of the bird in snapping at falling drops. From the first, the attention was markedly attracted by flying insects, and any small objects in motion seemed to have a peculiar charm. From this fact I am inclined to think that the seizing of drops was no more than the striking at moving objects, though it is possible that the adult habitually takes water on the wing by seizing falling drops of dew or rain. eyes, condition at birth, 241 Preyer on, 261 remarks on diary of, 261, et seq. sense of support in, 262 some conclusions regarding, 262, 263 - Spalding, D., on, 261 swallowing by, 258, 260 vision in, 259 warmth, effect of, on, 259, 262 wiping beak by, 260 Chickaree, significance of wide ranges Child and dog compared morally, 25 Cortex at birth, in the dog, 268, 270 in the rabbit, 273, 274 in birds, 275 general conclusions regarding, Craig, on the Chipmunk, 72 DARWIN, C., on feigning, on migra- on horse training, 43, 44 cat in advance of, in co-ordina- cats and, education, 227, 230 conclusions, general, as to differ- experience and instinct, effect of 229 independence in the cat, 227, intelligence and memory, 228 slow development of social IMAGINATION in animals, 21, 37 Intelligence and hibernation, 57 JONES, T. MANN, remarks on kitten, KITTEN, the diary of, 175, etc. advance of, 202 affection in, 200 anger in, 189 biting in, 182 bookshelves, special experience call of "Puss! puss!" effect of, catching flies, etc., by, 188, 193, caution in leaping, 191, 198, 199 climbing in, 181, 182, 190, 191, concealment by, 193, 197 condition of eyes and ears at covering by, 193 crouching by, 190, 195 crying in, 183, 186, 187, 188, 191, 192, 197, 199, 201 discussion of diary of, 202, etc. eating, etc., in, 205 expression altered in, 197 of intelligence in, 188 fatigue in, 200 fear in, 186, 187, 190, 191, 192, 194 202 feeding of milk, 185, 186, 187 of solid food, 189, 191, 193, fondness shown for fish by, 197 Kitten, movements of head, 179 177 of tail, 179, 182, 183, 186 in sleep, 187 opening of eyes in, 177 pain, sense, latent period in, -persistence in, 196, 197, 199 play in, 181, 182, 185, 188, 192, power of attention in, 198 punishment of, 193, 196, 198 reaction towards dog by, 176, 177, 180, 203 reflexes, pupillary, 179 resemblances to mature cat, 198 183 |