The Flight of Birds. 235 



With wild swans and geese one might suppose the former 

 guided by the whoop or whistle of their leader, and the 

 latter by the well-known " honk/' as soldiers by word of 

 command. But no such note seems to direct the move- 

 ments of either starling, or lapwing, in their wheelings 

 and turnings. Then what does ? A question, so far as 

 I am aware, unanswered, if answerable. Will electricity 

 explain it some biological chain of mind or instinct, 

 binding the birds together, and acting on all simul- 

 taneously, or with that rapidity by which the electric fluid 

 runs along the wires ? 



Whatever be the nature of this singular and unex- 

 plained phenomenon, it is not alone confined to birds. 

 Quadrupeds also give illustration of it, as often witnessed 

 in cattle on the American prairies. A herd of a thousand, 

 or more, will be tranquilly browsing perhaps lying down 

 quietly chewing their cud when, presto I all spring up 

 together, and start off in stampede, as if each and all 

 had been stung by gadflies at the self-same instant of 

 time. 



Every one who has been to sea must have observed 

 " schools " of fish herrings or mackerel act in a similar 

 fashion; while in the insect world we have many examples 

 of the same notably among ants, and bees at their 

 hiving time. How little do we yet know of nature's 

 workings, even of those that are every day, and in clear- 

 est daylight, under our very eyes ! 



