150 PECULIAR SOUNDS OF ANIMALS. 



We can only perceive the language of beasts by attending to the 

 particular cries they make, and to the influence which these cries 

 have upon the feelings and actions of their associates. Brutes by 

 uttering certain sounds, are enabled to communicate their feelings 

 to every individual of the same species. 



SMELLIE. 



THE language, or the peculiar sounds made by 

 beasts, birds and even insects, expressive of their 

 wants, fears, anger or desires, are very distinct 

 from each other, and to those who have paid at- 

 tention to them, are very interesting. A common 

 cock and the pheasant have notes of exultation or 

 defiance others of fear or warning, and a third of 

 complacency or gallantry, when the hens are called 

 to partake of food. The swallow utters its note 

 of love in the pairing season screams at seeing 

 an enemy, and greets its young with a tone of 

 affection extremely pleasing. The goose hisses 

 when angry, cackles when happy and has a note 

 of alarm. The duck also expresses its different 

 feelings, by sounds. These may all be called do- 

 mestic birds. Others which conceal their nests 

 carefully, feed their young not only silently, but 

 with considerable stealth, fearful that their retreat 

 should be discovered and invaded. When, how- 



