LAUGHTER AND WEEPING. 321 



parrot. But, in the first place, there are in various ani- 

 mals laughterlike sounds frequently or usually described as 

 ' laughter ' that have no connection probably with a sense 

 of fun ; while, in the second, the sense in question, where it 

 exists, is not necessarily, or even generally or frequently, 

 manifested by laughter. 



Nor does it follow that, in other animals any more than 

 in man, laughter is to be considered an expression of fun or 

 humour only. In such a bird as the parrot it may embody 

 sarcasm or derision, defiance or insult, as well as fun. The 

 grinning of certain monkeys and apes is also not necessarily 

 or always associated with a sense of amusement; it may, and 

 does, arise from other feelings or causes, as in man. A 

 chuckle, too, may arise in the same animals from a simple 

 feeling of satisfaction at success or good fortune. 



Of mere laughterlike sounds the following are illustra- 

 tions : 



1. A certain Indian hyaena is called the ' laughing ' 

 hysena, from the peculiarity of its cry. The voice of this 

 the spotted hysena, when excited, ' resembles a most un- 

 earthly laugh' (Sclater). 



2. An Australian bird a kingfisher is known as the 

 ' laughing ' jackass for a similar reason ; and Baden Powell 

 speaks of the ' ridiculosity ' of the laugh both of the bird 

 and the hysena in reference apparently to its resemblance 

 to human laughter. Sclater says that the note of this 

 ' laughing kingfisher,' as it is called in the ' Guide to 

 the Zoological Gardens of London,' * strangely resembles a 

 rude, powerful laugh.' 



3. The francolins of South Africa birds, species of Scler- 

 optera have notes that ' resemble a succession of hysterical 

 laughs at first slow, but increasing in rapidity and strength 

 till they suddenly cease' (Andersson). 



4. One of the cries of the dog-hysena is what Murray 

 calls a * laughing chatter.' 



5. A pigeon the Indian turtle dove is called 'the 

 laugher' (Schmidt). 



6. Livingstone mentions an African (brown) ibis whose 

 cry is * a loud ha-ha-ha ! ' 



