New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-23
STRANGE STORIES OF ANINA Is
TWO INTELLIGENT AND REFLECTIVE
BIRDS.


BIRDS
Among the most interesting Of the many
striking animal stories related from time 10
time by correspondents Of The London Specta-
tor is this concerning seagull the friend and
comrade Of a Scotch fisherman:
In the fishing village Of Auchmithe Ghe
Musselcraig Of SCOTS "Antiquary'D YOU may
frequently witness seagulls flying 'lto the
houses Of the fishermen and partaking Of food
from their hands One OF these sea BIRDS was
in the habit of staying in fshermans house
all the year round except at the breeding sea-
son. when II left. About fortnight ago. while
the gul! was away. the fisherman removed his
home from Auchmithie to Arbroath Ghe Fair
port Of SCOTS "Antiquary'). distant some three
and half miles from the former place TAX
ing up his residence in South-st. Of Arbroath;
The fisherman never expected TO see his old
friend the gull again. 1t was. therefore much
10 his astonishmort that he beheld. last Sum
day the sea bird walking into his new
residence with stately steps 10 resume his OLD
familiarities and household ways win MS
boarding house keeper. Query: was there not
ated by mutual affection. something more man
was conferred the gull by senses OF sight
and hearing or even instinct in It's usual ac-
ceptetion'
Another correspondent sends this curious
story Of animal instinct:
have often seen urged 10 ask your accept
anoe Of the following story whicN goes far 10
man very much alike. II was seven years
ago that " hiie walking in thc ~:ounds about
my house-Marle Hall. Lla~dcdno-now CON
valescent home in the occupation OF the Biz
mingham Hospital Fund my attention was ar
rested by three thrushes. which were flying ex-
citedly TO and fro in front Of me. and so close
that / could have caught them. Following their
movements. | noticed that their path was al
ways over my little dog. fox-terrier pup about
ter months old. which was lying in the grass.
and each bird as it passed struck at him with
its wings Going TO the dog. found that II
held between rs mouth and feet a young thrush.
fully nedCed. but not quite able to ny. ] took
the bird. quite unframed. from the dog, placed
N in the bush. gave the dog little scolding.
went my vav. ard thought no more about IL.
Next morning seated at breakfast. heard the
clrtterins CT a bird outside door which opens
onto a terrace garden This door is partially
glazed and looking through ! saw thrush
hopping about close 10 u. ] opered the door
and vailed slowly forward The bird hoped
a ward or 50 in front I re'raced my steps,
walking backward The bird followed Think
ing this rniaht be mere coincidence. ! repeated
each movement SO did the bird. Then calling
nv sjster-in-law from the table. and accom-
named by her I followed the bird 1t kept the
path 90 very narrow one' as peiore; u',n op
noslte the steps. There IT turned a right angie.
and after hopping O yard or two jumped upon
a roseinish and waited moment linen " new
down the steps. and kept the short pain wn'cn
leads on to the drive. Once upon the drive. is
nae was freer and II lew futtering zigzag
course close to the ground. The view 10 the
ieff was hidden by a high hedge OF laurustinus.
hut after going down the drive about twenty
wards we were free of this obstruction 10 the
view and there In the grass about ten yaros
further. and exactly where had founo n'''