C. Lloyd Morgan, F.R.S., (1852-1936) Habit and Instinct (1896)
Chapter VIII. Imitation.
...Should we not ask, What is the organic value of the imitative tendency as evinced in many ways in the life of birds or other creatures ?
I cannot but think that in a number of cases it would make all the difference between survival and destruction. Mr. Tegetmeier states “ that if pigeons are reared exclusively with small grain, as wheat or barley, they will starve before eating beans. But when they are thus starving, if a bean-eating pigeon is put among them, they follow its example, and thereafter adopt the habit. So fowls sometimes refuse to eat maize, but on seeing others eat it, they do the same, and become excessively fond of it.”
...I have several times observed that, in broods of chicks brought up under experimental conditions by themselves, and without opportunities of imitating older birds, there are one or two more active, vigorous, intelligent, and mischievous birds. They are the leaders of the brood ; the others are their imitators. Their presence raises the general level of intelligent activity. Remove them, and the others show a less active, less inquisitive, less adventurous life, if one may so put it. They seem to lack initiative. From which one may infer that imitation affords to some extent a means of levelling up the less intelligent to the standard of the more intelligent ; and of supplying a stimulus to the development of habits which would otherwise be lacking.