STORIES ABOUT THE INSTINCT OF ANIMALS, THEIR CHARACTERS, AND HABITS. BY THOMAS BINGLEY. NEW YORK: C.S. FRANCIS & CO., 252 BROADWAY. BOSTON: J.H. FRANCIS, 128 WASHINGTON STREET. 1851.CONTENTS.CHAPTER I.Uncle Thomas resumes his Stories about the Instinct of Animals.--Tellsabout the Horse, and of the Immense Herds which are to be found on thePlains of South America; of their Capture by means of the Lasso; theArab and his Mare; the Gadshill Robber; the Benevolent Planter; theLawyer-Highwayman; as well as several other Curious Stories about theIntelligence, Affection, and Docility of the Horse Page 9CHAPTER II.Uncle Thomas tells about the Beaver, and the Singular Manner in which itconstructs a Dam to confine the Waters of the River; and about the Hutwhich it builds for its Habitation. He tells also about the CuriousNests of the Sociable Grosbeak; and gives a Long and EntertainingAccount of the White Ant of Africa; its Extraordinary Nest; and theImportant Part which it acts in the Economy of Nature 29CHAPTER III.Uncle Thomas describes the Manner in which Wild Elephants are caught,and relates some Curious Stories of the Cunning, Affection, andIntelligence of the Elephant 54CHAPTER IV.Uncle Thomas introduces to the Notice of the Young Folks the EttrickShepherd's Stories about Sheep; and tells them some Interesting Storiesabout the Goat, and its Peculiarities 71CHAPTER V.Uncle Thomas relates some Very Remarkable Stories about the Cat; pointsout to the Boys the Connexion subsisting between the Domestic Cat andthe Lion, Tiger, &c., and tells them some Stories about the Gentleness,as well as the Ferocity of these Animals 89CHAPTER VI.Uncle Thomas tells about the Tiger; its Ferocity and Power; and of theCurious Modes which are adopted for its Capture and Destruction.--Alsoabout the Puma or American Lion, and introduces some Hunting Scenes inNorth and South America, with other Interesting and EntertainingAdventures 123CHAPTER VII.Uncle Thomas tells about the Migrating Instinct of Animals.--Of theHouse Swallow of England; and the Esculent Swallow, whose Nest is eatenby the Chinese.--He tells also about the Passenger Pigeon of America; ofthe Myriads which are found in various parts of the United States; ofthe Land-Crab and its Migrations, and of those of the Salmon and theCommon Herring 144CHAPTER VIII.Uncle Thomas tells about the Baboons, and their Plundering Excursions tothe Gardens at the of Good Hope, Calsoaep about Le Vaillant's Baboon,Kees, and his Peculiarities; the American Monkeys; and relates anAmusing Story about a Young Monkey deprived of its Mother, puttingitself under the Fostering Care of a Wig-Block 174CHAPTER IX.Uncle Thomas concludes Stories about Instinct with several InterestingIllustrations of the Affections of Animals, particularly of the Instinctof Maternal Affection, in the course of which he narrates the Story ofthe Cat and the Black-Bird; the Squirrel's Nest; the Equestrian Friends;and points out the Beneficent Care of Providence in implanting in theBreasts of each of his Creatures the Instinct which is necessary for itsSecurity and Protection 193