MEMORY OF BIRDS.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Your readers may be interested by the following in- cident displaying the wonderful power of memory which some birds possess. Some time ago, we had a cock of the black, single-comb Spanish breed. The farm-boy, who lived about five hundred yards from the farm, was in the habit of encouraging this cock to spur at him, so that every morning, as he went to his work, a pugilistic encounter took place between boy and cock. After a time, the boy left us and went to London. Returning at the end of six months, he paid a visit to his fellow-labourers at the farm. He was immediately recognised by the cock, and on coming out of his cottage the next morning, be found the bird waiting outside for him ready again to face his opponent. This continued for several days, until one afternoon the boy came to the farm to wish his companions good-bye, as he was returning to London ; and the next morning the cock omitted to pay his usual visit. We thus have an instance of the memory of a bird stretching over the space of six months.—I am, Sir, &c.,
FLORENCE BARFORD.
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