ORGANS OF VOICE. 63 



in Sussex, a Thrush had for some time perched itself 

 on a particular spray, and made itself a great favourite 

 from its powerful and constant singing. When one day 

 it was observed, by the gardener, to drop suddenly from 

 the bough in the midst of its song. He immediately 

 ran to pick it up, but found it quite dead ; and, upon 

 examination, discovered that it had actually broken a 

 blood-vessel by its exertions, and thus perished. 



That the notes and cries of birds serve them instead 

 of language, there can be little doubt; one person indeed 

 is on record, who, having passed much of his time in 

 boyhood alone, in lonely situations, had by close atten- 

 tion acquired such a knowledge of this language, that, 

 from the song of the parents, he knew where the nests 

 were situated, whether they contained eggs, or whether 

 the brood was hatched, knowing even the number of 

 young birds, and their age, before he saw them*. In 

 fact, a common observer may, in some instances, under- 

 stand their different notes, and all their different wants 

 and emotions, as well as the birds themselves do. 



Thus, while walking in a wood, if we happen to get 

 sight of a flock of Jays before they chance to notice our 

 approach, they will be seen enjoying themselves, and 

 chattering in seeming confusion. Suddenly one will be 

 heard to utter a peculiar short deeper-toned note, when 

 in an instant all is silent, and they may be seen skulking 

 off one by one, only to be heard again when they have 

 sheltered themselves at a considerable distance. Crows 

 and Fieldfares, with many others of what are called 

 congregating birds, or those that live together, act in 

 the same manner. Every sportsman knows how difficult 

 it is to get within gunshot of a large flock of these birds, 

 though they appear to be so busily employed in picking 

 up their food in a meadow, that it might be supposed 

 they saw nothing else. 



The fact is, they very often do see nothing, and think 



* See Quarterly Review, on. Lord Holland's Life of Lope de Vega; 

 vol. xviii. p. 36. 



