BIRDS. 231 



fome under tliat denomination ; lor tlior.gli tliey disappear in 

 one place they never leave the kingdom, but are seen some- 

 where else. But there ai"e many among them that take longer 

 flights, and go to a region colder or warmer, as it suits their con- 

 find a people from J.ipan or tlic Pole, whoso prof^rcss in mind Ii.ts lieon sla- 

 tioniiry, without incrciiso of idea, from national prp.iiidiro or impossibility 

 of conimuuioation with others, we probably should tiud little or no alteriu 

 tion in the original huiguajje of that people ; so, by analogy of reasoninff 

 the animal having- no idea to prompt, no new want to express, no converse 

 with others, (for a note cinight and uttered merely is like a boy mocking 

 the cufkoo,) so no new languag'e is acquired. With civilized man, every 

 thing' is progressive ; with animals, where there is no mind, all is stationary. 

 Even the voice of one species of birds, except in particular cases, seems not 

 to be attended to by anotlier species. That peculiar call of the f<!male 

 cuckoo, which assembles so many contending lovers, and all the various 

 amatorial and caressing language of others, excites no influence generally, 

 that I am aware of; with all but the individual species it is a dialect un- 

 known. I know but one note which animals make use of, that seems of 

 luiiversal comprehension, and this is the signal of danger. The instant that 

 it is uttered, we hear the whole flock, though composed of various species, 

 repeat a sepjvrate moan, and away they all scuttle into the bushes for safety. 

 The reiterated "twink twink" of the chaffinch is known by every little 

 bird as information of some prowling cat or weasel. Some give the mater- 

 nal hush to their young, and mount to inquire into the jeopardy announced. 

 Tlie wren, that tells of perils from the hedge, soon collects about her all the 

 various inquisitive species within hearing, to survey and ascertain the ob- 

 'ect, and add their separate fears. The swallow, that shrieking darts in de- 

 vious tliglit through the air when a hawk appears, not only calls up all the 

 hirundincs of the village, but is instantly understood by every tinch and 

 sparrow, and its warning attended to. As nature, in all her ordinations, 

 had a fixed design and fore-knowledge, it may be that each species had a 

 separate voice assigned it, that each might continue as created, distinct and 

 unmixed : and the very few deviations and admixtures that have t.iken 

 place, considering the lapse of time, association, and opportunity, imited 

 with the prohibition of continuing accidental deviations, are very remark- 

 able, and indicate a cause and original motive. That some of the notes of 

 birds are as language designed to convey a meaning, is obvious from the 

 very dift'erent sounds uttered by these creatures at particular periods : the 

 spring voices become changed as summer advances, and the requirements of 

 the early season liave ceased ; the summer excitements, monitions, infurma- 

 th>ns, are not needed in autumn, and the notes conveying such intelligences 

 are no onger heard. The periodical calls of animals, croaking of frogs, &c,, 

 aft'ord the same reasons for concluding that the sound of their voices by ele- 

 vation, depression, or modulation, conveys intelligence equivalent to an 

 uttered sentence. The voices of birds seem applicable, in most instances, 

 to the immediate necessities of their condition ; such as the sexual call, the 

 invitation to unite when dispersed, the moan of danger, the shriek of alarm, 

 the notice of food. But there are other notes, the designs and motives of 

 wJ»ich are not so obvious. One sex onlv is gifted with the power of sing. 



