Craig, Exprrssiotis of Emotion in Pigeons. 



37 



When the birds are on the nest they are scchisive in their actions, 

 and, accordingly, disinclined to make a noise. Hence, the alarm- 

 note sounded by a bird on the nest is always less loud, even though 

 the emotion be extreme, as shown by the tension displayed in the 

 bird's attitude and movements. But notwithstanding the lower in- 

 tensity and pitch, the quality of effort is shown in this alarm as 

 clearly as in the louder ones. Just what it is that gives evidence 

 of effort, it is not always easy to say. But, for one thing, the note 

 usually begins and ends abruptly; and such abrupt beginning and 

 ending is an equivalent, so far as expressiveness is concerned, of the 

 abrupt rise and al)rnpt fall of the notes represented above. For 

 another thing, this note, when intense, has a hoarse sound, a sort of 

 ''stage w^hisper" effect, like that produced when one contracts the chest 

 strong-lv but obstructs the breath in the vocal organs ; and this is no 

 doubt what occurs in the bird, for one can see the hard breathing 

 movement of the body wdien the note is sounded. This subdued 

 alarm is given by either the male or the female, when sitting on the 

 nest, or when near the nest containing the eggs or young. 



No.4. 



t8 VE 



li 



Timbre : approaching that of an electric buzzer. 

 Intensity: So low that sometimes, I judge, it was inaudible at 2 yards distance. 



NO. 5. 



ii^ 



A pure, resonant chest-tone. Not loud. 



4. Cry Intermediate between the Alarm and the Kah. 



The specific cry of the ring-dove to be described next, which I 

 have named the kah, resembles the alarm-note in tone but differs 



