INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 37 



body, usually on an elevated point, and give the 

 alarm by uttering a peculiar cry. Alluding to 

 this habit in wild geese, the poet Schiller says ; 



"When they go 'forth to graze, with jealous care 

 They place a watch, which, with keen ear intent 

 On coming danger, sounds its shrill note, 

 And warns the ready flock." 



It is well known how difficult it is to get 

 within gunshot of a large flock of birds which 

 appear so busily employed in feeding that it might 

 be supposed they could see nothing else. And 

 doubtless they often do see nothing beyond the 

 food of which they are so diligently in search. 

 But in some neighbouring tree a keen look out is 

 kept by one of the party, and the moment his 

 alarum is heard, away goes the whole troop be- 

 yond the reach of the disappointed fowler who 

 fancied himself secure, as he lurked in ambush 

 behind some tree or hedgerow near. 



This spirit of sociability in birds is not confined 

 strictly to the species, but extends to others of 

 their kind, and even to incongruous animals. 

 Swallows, sparrows, rooks, and other gregarious 

 birds will join together and make common cause 

 in defending their young from predatory birds or 

 animals. 



An "out-door naturalist" says, "I have seen a 

 curious instance of birds of very different habits 



