HEN MUSIC. 



LATE one night, as I chanced near the hennery with 

 a light, I was rewarded by an exquisite exhibition 

 of the communicative ability of our domestic fowls. 

 The hens moved on their perches, when the rooster 

 spoke, rousing them still more. Stepping back, I soon 

 heard a little sound, high and " exceeding fine," with a 

 deceiving ventriloquous quality. Long spun, and then 

 bent down in a graceful descent of the interval of a sixth, 

 it terminated in a more decided tone, a peculiar tremor 

 something less than a trill, and died away in a beautiful 

 diminish. 



This model example in pianissimo practice and in the 

 art of holding the breath proved to come from one of the 

 hens; and though the exact tones are here represented, 

 no idea can be conveyed of the unique, perfect perform- 

 ance. The quieting effect on the family was instantaneous ; 

 not another move or peep. The descent noted is similar 

 to that made by the screech-owl. The intervals are iden- 

 tical ; but the hen slides down with an oily smoothness, 

 while the owl, as elsewhere shown, comes trembling, 

 shivering down. 



