Craig, Expressions of Emotion in Pigeons. 

 double slur, thus. 



33 



^^ ^ 



which must always be understood to mean a perfect glide, or porta- 

 mento. 



1. Silence. 



Many birds, especially among the Oscines, are uttering some sound 

 continually, being silent only when they are asleep. For example, 

 the various species of American blackbird (as, Quiscalus, Agelaius) 

 repeat their ''chuck" so frequently, both while flying and while perch- 

 ing, that the presence of a flock is always made known to the ear at 

 a considerable distance. The Fringillida3, similarly, are ever repeat- 

 ing a short "chip" or "chirrup." But the ring-dove has no such 

 incessantly repeated note. The dove's notes are voiced only when 

 prompted by some form of excitement. When engaged in any non- 

 social occupation, such as eating, drinking, preening its feathers, or 

 merely resting, the ring-dove is silent. And when on the wing, even 

 in the midst of excitement, the blond ring-dove never utters any sound, 

 except on rare occasions (only one occasion within my experience) 

 an apparently involuntary grunt. Some other forms of birds even 

 prostitute their most useful notes to purposes of play. The blue jay 

 (Cyanocitta cristata), for example, often gives alarming cries when 

 no danger is near, and seems to enjoy, so far as the limits of avian 

 intelligence wall allow, the consternation which it can thus produce 

 among its feathered neighbors. But the pigeons, perhaps on account 

 of their lower grade of intelligence, are incapable of carrying play 

 to such a point; they never use the alann-note except when really 

 alarmed. Certain of the dove's calls are given at times in a manner 

 which might be styled half-serious, half -playful ; but of the utter- 

 ances of the adult ring-dove, there is only one (the song, p. 47) which 

 ,ever appears to be given and enjoyed purely for its own sake. 



