174 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXI. 



When one of the Carrion -birds has found a 

 booty, others of the same species who may be 

 wheeling about at a greater distance at once see 

 by his manner of flight and other signs that he 

 has made some discovery, and immediately follow 

 in the same direction, in order that they may come 

 in for their share. 



In like manner, when one wild-duck has found 

 out a quantity of corn laid down in any particular 

 place, he soon brings others to the spot, and these 

 again give information to others, until at length 

 large flocks collect to feed on what was originally 

 discovered by a single bird. I do not mean to 

 infer that they can communicate to each other by 

 any bird-language the existence and locality of the 

 prize found ; but they all go to the spot attracted 

 by the manner of flight of the first discoverers, 

 which doubtless tells their companions most plainly 

 that they are winging their way directly towards 

 a depot of food, and not going forth on a vague 

 and uncertain search. 



The clamour and noise of crows when they find 

 a prize tell the tale at once to all within hearing, 

 and not to those of their own kind only, but to 

 all ravens or rooks in the neighbourhood. 



In the same manner birds communicate alarm 

 and warning, not only to those of their own species, 



