214 BIRDS

birds, like the whiskered tern, nest both north and
south of the equator.

A bird’s memory for localities is evidently as good
as its memory for other things. As a class they are
quite equal to the mammals in mental activity and
alertness. In some respects they are curiously
human. Like overworked schoolboys they will repeat
their lessons in their dreams, the lessons taught by
their parents and their companions as well as those
taught by man. In another point, too, the similarity
is noticeable: ‘Parrots, says Romanes, ‘not only
remember, but recollect; that is to say, they know
when there is a missing link in a train of association,
and purposely endeavour to pick it up. Thus, for
instance, the late Lady Napier told me an interesting
series of observations on this point which she had
made upon an intelligent parrot of her own. They
were of this kind. Taking such a phrase as “Old
Dan Tucker,” the bird would remember the beginning
and the end, and try to recollect the middle. For it
would say very slowly, “Old—old —old,” and then
very quickly, “ Lucy Tucker.” Feeling that this was
not right, it would try again as before, “ Old —old—old
—old Bessy Tucker,” substituting one word after the
other in the place of the sought-for word “ Dan.” And
that the process was one of truly seeking for the
' desired word was proved by the fact that if, while
the bird was saying “ Old—old—old,” anyone threw
in the word “Dan,” he immediately supplied the
“ Tucker.” ’

The whole range of the emotions appear to be
observable amongst birds—affection, sympathy,