is efficacious. When,
however, conditions happen to change, animals are prompt to profit by
them, and one sees how all these acts are derived from reflection.
This is the clearer the more the favourable circumstance is accidental
and unforeseen, when it is not possible to consider the animals as
accustomed to profit by it.

In the wild regions of Africa it happens that from some reason or
another, perhaps from the effect of lightning on immense forests,
dense thickets or plains covered by tall plants become the prey of
gigantic fires which spread as long as they find food on their road.
The heat as of a furnace arises above and around; an acrid smoke veils
everything, and the frightened animals flee before the scourge.
Travellers who have witnessed these magnificent scenes often insist on
the panics thus produced, and describe the inoffensive lion fleeing in
the midst of a herd of gazelles. All are seized by the same fear,
because all are exposed to the same danger. But birds, whose wings can
carry them at will afar from the furnace, preserve greater presence of
mind, and profit by the public calamity and general anxiety to make a
successful hunt and copious feasts. One may see the birds of prey
flying in front of the fire and seizing easy victims. Certain birds of
Africa are the most furious hunters during a fire. Legions of insects
flee far from the tall dried plants, and clouds of birds arrive to
throw themselves on them. They pursue them with incredible audacity
through the smoke close to the flames and always retire in time to
avoid singeing. A member of the Crow family who inhabits India,
_Anomalocorax splendens_, enjoys a deserved reputation of astuteness
and allows no opportunity to escape without seizing it by the
forelock. In ordinary times his food is composed of very varied
substances--crabs, insects, worms, etc.; but if he perceives afar an
ascending cloud he immediately abandons his small researches, knowing
there is something better to be done over there. He is not selfish,
and he calls a few comrades and they all put themselves into position
to await events. They know very well the relation that exists between
this smoke and the prey they covet. The fire indicated by the smoke
can have no other reason in this hot country than the cooking of food.
A Hindoo family are in fact installed and preparing their repast. The
birds see all this and observe. The Hindoos are accustomed to throw
outside the remains