64 DEFENSIVE PRECAUTIONS 



meanest creature that breathes. When we are at 

 Woodlands, Mr. Craven is a frequent guest. Though 

 his manners are not elegant, he is a man of observa- 

 tion and good sense, and has availed himself of the 

 advantages of a country life, to become acquainted 

 with the habits of many animals that live wild around 

 him, as well as those domesticated in his farm-yard ; 

 and, as he has no reluctance to display his stock 

 of knowledge, when admitted into our circle, I was 

 so fortunate as to give a turn to the history of leaping 

 over five-barred gates, and similar feats of dexterity, 

 by inquiring the means used by the poor victims to 

 elude the pursuit of their enemies. This question led 

 to the modes of defence peculiar to different species of 

 creatures, and the alarm they give to their companions 

 at sight of their natural enemies. 



The appearance of a hawk excites a note expres- 

 sive of fear in a hen turkey followed by her brood, 

 which is learnt by the young ones, and afterwards 

 applied by them to the same purpose. 



A rabbit apprized of danger, will convey the intel- 

 ligence to her neighbours by thumping in her bur- 

 row with her hinder feet. 



Rooks, whilst they feed, are guarded by a watch- 

 man, who perches on one of the tallest trees near 

 them, that he may perceive an enemy at a distance, 

 and expresses alarm at the sight of a man with a gun. 



