CHAP. 57. (41.)—THE INSTINCTS OF BIRDS—THE CARDUELIS,
THE TAURUS, THE ANTHUS.
The farm-yard fowls have also a certain notion of religion;
upon laying an egg they shudder all over, and then shake their
feathers; after which they turn round and purify [Note] themselves,
or else hallow [Note] themselves and their eggs with some stalk or
other. (42.) The carduelis, [Note] which is the very smallest bird
of any, will do what it is bid, not only with the voice but with
the feet as well, and with the beak, which serves it instead of
hands. There is one bird, found in the territory of Arelate, that
imitates the lowing of oxen, from which circumstance it has
received the name of "taurus." [Note] In other respects it is of
small size. Another bird, called the "anthus," [Note] imitates the
neighing of the horse; upon being driven from the pasture by
the approach of the horses, it will mimic their voices-and this
is the method it takes of revenging itself.
