Rural School Leaflet. 845 



water as we do. It must first fill its beak and then hold its head up so 

 that the water may run 'down its throat. Most song birds drink in this 

 way but the pigeon swallows with its beak in the water. 



The hen's conversational powers are quite extensive and so plain that 

 "human" folks have little difficulty in comprehending them. She clucks 

 when leading her chicks in search of food and they answer the call 

 with confiding cheeps. When she finds food her tones quicken to an 

 energetic call and when she sees a hawk or any other peril to her brood 

 she warns them with a guttural k-r-r-r-r that causes every chick to seek 

 cover and become motionless. The obedience of the brood to the mother's 

 call is perfect. A lost chick's peep is very loud and pitiful and when 

 frightened it rises to a despairing screech. On the other hand there 



Fig. 7. — There are many different kinds of feathers on fowls. How many 

 can you find on a hen or a rooster} 



is no sound in the world so full of cosy contentment as the low notes 

 of the chick as it cuddles under the mother's wing. When hens are taking 

 their sun and dust baths together they seem to chat and gossip with 

 each other. The hen's spring song when she is seeking a nest is one of 

 the most joyous sounds of nature. Her triumphant cackle over the 

 newly-laid egg is very different from the loud hurried note when she 

 is frightened. When she is very much afraid she squalls and when 

 seized by an enemy she utters loud squawks. The rooster crows to 

 assure his flock that all is well and he also crows as a challenge to other 

 roosters and to voice his triumph if he is victor in a fight. He has also 

 other notes; he will question you as you approach him and his flock, 

 he will give warning of danger, and when he finds some dainty tidbit 

 he calls Kis flock about him; often he repents of this generosity and 

 swallows the dainty himself just as they arrive. 



