250 
intensity of meaning, suggest the approach of some much- 
dreaded enemy, not necessarily of any particular kind. 
Now, having regard to fact that the young of certain 
musical and also of certain unmusical species learned their 
notes, not by any influence of heredity, but purely by imita- 
tion; and to the importance of alarms, and of call-notes, 
which I have elsewhere shown to be the foundation of many 
songs. Is not the prevalence of a peculiar cry among the birds 
of species physically allied but living apart, perhaps in different 
hemispheres—valuable evidence that these allied species des- 
cended from a common ancestor? It may be asked: do such 
widely diffused cries exist? Here are instances of their 
occurrence: The American Ferruginous Thrush (Turdus rufus) 
utters notes which Wilson says “have considerable resemblance 
to the notes of the song thrush of Britain.” Am. Ornith., 
Vol. I, 234. 
The Cape robin, or Cape chat thrush (Cossypha Cafra) 
sings like our robin, and has similar manners in hopping and 
flirting its tail. Layard, “ Birds of S. Af.,” 224. 
The southern grey-headed sparrow, closely like our 
common bird, has a note which resembles the “ chissick” of 
the English sparrow. Layard, id. 480. 
The European rock sparrow (Passer petroina) has a tone of 
voice similar to passer domesticus. Bree’s “ Birds of Europe, 
not found in Britain,” Vol. 3, p. 128. 
The shore-lark of America, when in flocks in autumn, 
“at this time,’ Wilson says, “they have a singular cry, 
almost exactly like the skylarks of Britain.” Am. O. 1, 
p- 85. 
The Abyssinian larks are said by Bruce to sing like those 
of Europe. “Dom. Hab., Bds.,” p. 300. 
The South African black and white cuckoo, (Coccystes 
jacobinus) “has a true cuckoo’s note.” Layard, id. 164. 
The pigeons of Europe, America, and Australia are 
equally persistent in cooing, and equally limited to that tone. 
Vide Works of Yarrell, Bree, Wilson, and Gould. 
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