for they could not at all understand the two birds flying about among them in this way."[1] According to the Comte de Canteleu, Stags nearly always make for the abodes of men when they are sinking.[2]
On the other hand, "the Cattle-Heron (Ardea russata), in Egypt, when fleeing before the sportsman, shelters itself under the Oxen and Buffaloes, because it knows that it is there protected from his gun."[3] Bonitos and Albicores may be often observed to congregate about the stern of a ship to escape the attacks of Sword-fish.[4]
Audubon relates that in the Missouri region of North America, while a number of Indian chiefs were conferring with, and angrily talking to, Mr. Chardon, "he sitting with his arms on a table between them, a Dove, being pursued by a Hawk, flew in through the open door, and sat panting and worn out on Mr. Chardon's arm for more than a minute, when it flew off."[5] Baldwin saw a broken-winged Golden-Goose chased by three Crocodiles. Eventually the bird took to the bank, and the poor thing "allowed me to catch him on land sooner than face his enemies in the water again."[6]
To fully understand mimicry we must appreciate general animal intelligence, and then we shall probably comprehend how much activity has been displayed by animals seeking protection
- ↑ 'Badminton Mag.' vol. ii. p. 582.
- ↑ Cf. Viscount Ebrington, in 'Red Deer' (Fur and Feath. Ser.), p. 245.
- ↑ Cf. Eimer, ' Organic Evolution,' Engl, transl., p. 237.
- ↑ Bennett, 'Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australia,' p. 23.
- ↑ 'Audubon and His Journals,' vol. ii. p. 44.—A delightful legend is related by Renan on this subject:—"One of the early Buddhas who preceded Sakya-Mouni obtained the nirvana in a singular way. He saw one day a Falcon chasing a little bird. 'I beseech thee,' he said to the bird of prey, 'leave this little creature in peace: I will give thee its weight from my own flesh.' A small pair of scales descended from the heavens, and the transaction was carried out. The little bird settled upon one side of the scales, and the saint placed in the other platter a good slice of his flesh, but the beam did not move. Bit by bit the whole of his body went into the scales, but still the scales were motionless. Just as the last shred of the holy man's body touched the scale the beam fell, the little bird flew away, and the saint entered into nirvana" ('Recollections of my Youth,' Engl, transl., p. 116).
- ↑ 'African Hunting and Adventures,' 3rd edit. p. 15.
