ANIMAL WISDOM.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3355, 3 January 1927, Page 7

ANIMAL WISDOM.

Some birds and beasts appear to have definite ideas on the training and education of their young; others have not the most elementary notions. Most birds teach their fledglings to fly before the home is broken up, and thexe arc few more fascinating sights than a plump little family sitting in a row on a branch beside the nest, taking their first lesson in aircraft. The pigeon is an exception. _ it is a splendid and devoted nurse in the early days of its babies’ lives, but ceases surveillance directly the little ones no longer need to pick up his own food the parents seem to lose interest in him, even to turn against him. The most they will do towards teaching him to use his wings is to throw him out of the nest. Cats, both wild and domesticated, are strict disciplinarians. The bestmannered kitten is the one that has been trained —not without an occasional spanking —by its own mother. Foxes teach their cubs to hunt, cduexiling them early in all their own cunning. Even the apparently foolish domestic hen rises to unsuspected heights of intelligence if she is given her liberty and the chance to initiate a brood of chicks into the secrets ol foraging. I do not know whether wild mothers are ever guilty of over-indulging their children; but I saw an amusing incident the other day which recalled a weak parent bribing a spoilt child with sweets. A baby sparrow, just able to fly. alighted in a garden where several people were having afternoon tea. Tim mother quickly joined it, in a state of agitation which suggested that she knew there were two cats attached to the house. The little one demanded food, and the mother fussed around trying to induce it to follow her to a safer place. At last, in desperation, she flew off, returning after a few moments with a piece of hrexid in her beak. She thrust it into his gaping month, snatched it out again instantly, and darted away with it. out of sight. Tlie baby, whose mouth, I suppose, was watering, followed her.

There are now about 530.000 people bearing the name of Smith living, 425.000 with the name of Jones, while the Browns are well behind with 320,000.