49 



comical gestures and various effective songs, in order to accom- 

 modate them during the time of maternal obligations. 



Furthermore, I shall allude to the exciting congregations of 

 large groups of crows, magpies, sparrows and similar kinds of 

 birds. When they meet under such circumstances, it is sure that 

 there are some very serious and important questions to be solved. 

 They discuss often in such furious manner that it can be heard 

 for quite a distance, while one or two individuals sit aside in a 

 subdued position. And as a general consequence, when the 

 meeting is over, the corpses of one or more dead individuals are 

 left on the spot. This is surely an indication that a furious trial 

 and execution has taken place. 



Sounds of Signs and Calls. Many animals have adapted 

 certain distinctive forms of sounds, uttering them at various 

 occasions, as for calling their conjugal mate; to challenge the 

 rival; also certain diversified sounds, as signs in cases of danger, 

 and finally sounds of plea, when in distress, pleading for help. 



The most familiar bird to all is the sparrow, and many will 

 have observed him pleading in subdued tones for help when deep 

 snow and a severe frost have barred the ground and prevented 

 him from rinding any food or a grain on the surface of the 

 ground. We will find him then placed near the windows or 

 balconies, and his pleading tones are so effective and demonstra- 

 tive as to make any human soul feel pity for him and serve him 

 a little food in the form of breadcrumbs or grains of oats, rice 

 and similar kinds. 



Moreover, if we expose some food outside of the window or 

 balcony, after a few minutes we will witness some very intensively 

 pathetic manifestations. Although generally the sparrow exhibits 

 an insolent temper and a frank disposition, yet he is too timid to 

 approach the exhibited food, although he is extremely hungry. 

 After he has taken a glance at the food, he retires to a certain 

 direction; then after a little time has elapsed he will return with 

 a large group of his fellow-beings. 



They all mount on different places nearby, so that they can 

 have a convenient outlook at the exposed food. But none of them 

 has the courage to proceed. They begin to peep in various modi- 

 fied tones, which apparently indicates that they have been coax- 

 ing and animating each other to make an attempt. Finally, one of 



