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(Instincts)

The Contemp. Review July 1875. Duke of Argyll on animal instinct. Argues that ♀ Duck could hardly have consciously learned to imitate wounded bird (like insect said to imitate dead insect) & a young merganser which squat on mud & is then hidden,— the old bird never doing so— is in the same case. I agree & believe case like neuter insects— A ♀ bird who came pretty close back to enemy from affection, or to attack it, (as Hen does dog) or from any other cause wd often draw away enemy (for as Duke remarks a dog will always chase the pretended wounded bird) wd profit greatly, & nat. selection w. do the rest, as unconsciously on part of Bird, as with insect feigning death.—

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With quite young birds covered with down some wd from disposition lie quieter, either from not being frightened — or being panic struck, & those which from any causes lay quietest wd be saved. This same doctrine no doubt extend to many all instinct of very young animals— such as methods of breaking out of egg.—  but be careful. (The egg may at first have been very soft) — It is very good to be able to place many instincts under the category of neuter insects, ie as far as experience goes.—

Any instinct performed by older animal may be inherited at earlier age by young animal applies to squatting of young partridges —