INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 29 



A loud outcry was heard one day amongst a 

 parcel of sparrows, tomtits, and chaffinches. The 

 noise was not one of pleasure, nor did it resemble 

 their shrill screams when fighting. The bustle 

 occurred close to a window, where no hawk would 

 venture. Nor could a cat be seen anywhere in 

 the neighbourhood. Yet still the din went on, 

 and the bush in which the noisy assemblage had 

 taken refuge shook with the fluttering of wings 

 and clacking of tongues. At last, at the bottom 

 of the bush a little sharp snout was seen protrud- 

 ing, and a pair of inquisitive eyes peered out. It 

 was a weasel, which no sooner saw that it was 

 noticed than it took to its heels ; whereupon, in 

 an instant the outcry ceased, and the whole party 

 dispersed. 



The loud cries of some birds, particularly of 

 many of the migratory water birds, which fly by 

 night, are evidently intended for the purpose of 

 keeping in company. In the silence of the night 

 a flight of wild geese may be heard incessantly 

 cackling high in the air, on their way to some 

 distant spot. The distance, too, at which the call 

 of some birds may be heard is very extraordinary. 

 How marvellous and beautiful is the instinct 

 which has been implanted in defenceless birds, to 

 make their migrations by night! It affords a 

 remarkable and delightful proof of the care and 



