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The wind chanced to blow directly down-stream , and the broad wings of the bird , held out from his body , and half extended , caught the very pith of the breeze on their double concave surfaces , and carried him through the water with the velocity of an arrow . Do you think that he was not aware of this advantage when he started in the race ? Do you suppose that these birds do not _ think _ ? I for one am satisfied they do , and look upon every one who prates about the _ instinct _ of these creatures as a philosopher of a very old school indeed . Not only does the great swan think , but so does your parrot , and your piping bullfinch , and the little canary that hops on your thumb . All think , and _ reason _ , and _ judge _ . Should it ever be your fortune to witness the performance of those marvellous birds , exhibited by the graceful Mademoiselle Vandermeersch in the fashionable _ salons _ of Paris and London , you will agree with me in the belief that the smallest of them has a mind like yourself .