THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



nearly all birds can learn to speak, but only those of some 

 species — very few in proportion to the whole. 



We are accustomed to regard speech as the most important 

 advantage which man possesses over the inferior creation. 

 It is speech which distinguishes him, under all circumstances, 

 from animals, and its absence which causes even those most 

 nearly allied to him to rank much lower. 



Beasts have, indeed, a language of their own, sounds and 

 signs of definite meaning. He who doubts the truth of this 

 assertion needs only go out into the fields and observe Nature. 

 For a flock of any species of birds, let us take as an example the 

 most common of all — sparrows. Harmlessly cheerful, they follow 

 their occupation, hopping about in search of food, yet one 

 note of alarm only is necessary to inform them all of an 

 approaching danger ; moreover, their cry is varied according to 

 the kind of danger which threatens. If a sparrowhawk come in 

 sight, a '' t-i-r-r-r-r ! " of horror puts the whole flock to the 

 hastiest flight ; when the cat approaches, a 'Hihrrr ! " of quite 

 another style causes only a few of the most timid to fly to a 

 safe distance ; but if a boy with a pea-shooter or a sling pass 

 by, then a slight ''tirr!" merely warns the company to be 

 attentive and cautious, and for the time being no timid fugitive 

 hurries away. Then water is thrown out into the yard, and a 

 joyful "tweet, tweet! " assembles the troop to pick up eagerly 

 the bread crumbs, potato parings and other refuse which have 

 been thrown out with it. A flight of rooks have settled for 

 the night on the tops of the tall poplar trees, below which 

 many people walk and drive along the road ; even a sportsman 

 with his gun over his shoulder and his dogs on a leash are 

 scarcely noticed ; only a few of the most timid fly away. Then 

 a youthful marksman appears, who leads by a chain a tamed 

 fox, for the support of which he must occasionally kill birds. 

 As soon as this individual approaches, though under cover of a 

 high fence, an old experienced rook utters an angry "Caw! " 

 and with great rustling the whole flock hastens away. These 

 are examples from Nature, proofs of the language, and, at the 

 same time, of the power which birds possess of imparting 

 information to each other. Indeed, we have instances of this 

 among the lowest and smallest animals. If we scrape with a 

 stick at the outer edge of an ant-heap, we see immediately that 

 not only do numerous ants hasten thither, but suddenly a move- 

 ment from that direction goes through the whole habitation. 



