242 BIRDS IN TOWN AND VILLAGE 



to the particular sound which produces the effect 

 of rusty nails thrust in among the convolutions of 

 the brain? Physicians are continually discover- 

 ing new forms of nervous maladies, caused by the 

 perpetual hurry and worry and excitement of our 

 modern life; and perhaps there is one form in 

 which natural sounds, which being natural should 

 be agreeable, or at any rate innocent, become 

 more and more abhorrent. This is a question 

 which concerns the medical journals; also, to 

 some extent, those who labour to forecast the 

 future. Happily, all our maladies are thrown off, 

 sooner or later, if they do not kill us; and we 

 can cheerfully look forward to a time when the 

 delicate chords in us shall no longer be made to 

 vibrate "like sweet bells jangled out of tune and 

 harsh" to any sound in nature, and when the 

 peaceful crowing of the cock shall cease to mad- 

 den the early waker. For, whatever may be the 

 fate awaiting our city civilization, brave Chanti- 

 cleer, improved as to his voice or not, will un- 

 doubtedly still be with us. 



