ORGANS OF VOICE. 61 



the bush shook again with flutterings of wings and clacking of 

 tongues ; when, at last, we espied a pair of inquisitive eyes, and 

 a little sharp snout poked out from the twigs, at the bottom of 

 the busL It was a weasel, which, on seeing that it was dis- 

 covered, took to its heels ; and in an instant the cries of the 

 Sparrows ceased, and the whole party dispersed. 



It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader of the language 

 so well known in the poultry-yard. The cluck of the Hen 

 when she calls her chickens together ; her shriek if a Hawk is 

 seen flying over the brood, and the rapid rush of chickens 

 under her wings ; and her cackle of pride or pleasure when she 

 announces to the whole farmyard the important fact of her 

 having laid an egg. Even a young chicken has a power of 

 language easily understood. Take, for instance, one of four or 

 five days old, and hold it up to a window where there are 

 flies, and it will immediately seize them, with a little twitter- 

 ing note of pleasure ; but if a wasp or bee is placed before it, 

 at once its note becomes harsh, expressing its dislike as well 

 as fears. 



Nobody can doubt, who sees a bird singing, clapping its 

 little wings, turning from side to side, and glancing its 

 bright eyes in all directions, as if courting attention and 

 admiration, that it feels delight and satisfaction. Did we 

 require further proof, we have but to recollect that the song- 

 bird is most on the alert with the music of his voice when 

 its affection and interests are awakened by attention to its 

 mate during the time of rearing its young. The male may 

 then be generally seen on some - "twig of bough at no great 

 distance from the nest ; in most cases becoming silent if aware 

 of a stranger's approach, or exchanging the note of pleasure 

 for another of anger and complaint, which too often produces 

 the very evil it dreads. Thus the Nightingale, one of our 

 shyest and most timid birds, will frequently discover its nest 

 by making a jarring noise, and also a snapping and cracking, at 

 the same time pursuing people along the hedges, as they walk, 

 when its young are in a helpless state. The male Blackcap is 

 still more incautious, for it will commence and continue its 



