The Minds and Manners of Wild Animals: A Book of Personal Observations

Birds are no more angelic than human beings are. They have their faults and their mean traits, just as we have; but their repertoire is not so great as ours. In every species that we have seen tried out in captivity, the baser passions are present. This is equally true of mammals. In confinement, in every herd and in every flock from elephants down to doves, the strong bully and oppress the weak, and drive them to the wall. The most philosophic and companionable birds are the parrots, parakeets, macaws and cockatoos. The birds that most quickly recognize protection sanctuaries and accept them, are the geese, ducks and swans. The game birds most nervous and foolish, and difficult to maintain in captivity, are the grouse, ptarmigan and quail. The bird utterly destitute of sense in captivity is the loon. The birds that are most domineering in captivity are the cranes. The birds that are most treacherous in captivity are the darters (Anhinga). The birds that go easiest and farthest in training are the parrots, macaws and cockatoos. The most beautiful bird species of the world are about fifty in number; and only a few of them are found among the birds of paradise. The minds of wild birds are quite as varied and diversified as are the forms and habits of the different orders and genera. XVI