ORGANS OF VOICE. 75 



discovered, took to its heels; and in an instant the 

 cries of the Sparrows ceased, and the whole party 

 dispersed. 



It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader of 

 the language so well known in the poultry-yard. 

 The cluck of the Hen, when she calls her chickens 

 together; her shriek, if a Hawk is seen flying over 

 the brood, and the rapid rush of chickens under her 

 wings; and her cackle of pride or pleasure, when she 

 announces to the whole farm-yard the important 

 fact of her having laid an egg. Even a young 

 chicken has a power of language easily understood. 

 Take, for instance, one of four or five days old, and 

 hold it up to a window where there are flies, and it 

 will immediately seize them, with a little twittering 

 note of pleasure; but if a wasp or a bee is placed 

 before it, at once its note becomes harsh, expressing 

 its dislike as well as fears. 



Nobody can doubt, who sees a bird singing, clap- 

 ping its little wings, turning from side to side, and 

 glancing its bright eyes in all directions, as if court- 

 ing attention and admiration, that it feels delight 

 and satisfaction. Did we require further proof, we 

 have but to recollect that the song-bird is most on 

 the alert with the music of his voice, when its 

 affection and interests are awakened by attention to 

 its mate, during the time of rearing its young. The 

 male may then be generally seen on some twig or 

 bough, at no great distance from the nest; in most 

 cases becoming silent, if aware of a stranger's ap- 

 proach, or exchanging the note of pleasure, for 

 another of anger and complaint, whieh too often pro- 

 duces the very evil it dreads. Thus, the Nightingale, 



