ITS SHYNESS. 103 



" Natural History of Selborne," has made both 

 species the subject of some observations, written in 

 that pleasing and unostentatious spirit by which all 

 his writings are pervaded : — " Sounds do not always 

 give us pleasure according to their sweetness and 

 melody, nor do harsh sounds always displease." We 

 are more apt to be captivated or disgusted with the 

 associations which they promote, than with the notes 

 themselves. " Thus, the shrilling of the field-cricket, 

 though sharp and stridulous, yet marvellously delights 

 some hearers, filling their minds with a train of sum- 

 mer ideas, of every thing that is rural, verdurous, 

 and joyous." * 



The same author remarks, " they are so shy and 

 cautious, it is no easy matter to get a sight of them ; 

 for, feeling a person's footsteps as he advances, they 

 stop short in the midst of their song, and retire 

 backward nimbly into their burrows, where they lurk 

 until all suspicion of danger is over." 



It is not, however, the " feeling" of an approach- 

 ing step, indicated by the \T.bratory motion of the 

 ground, which alone possesses the power of stilling 

 their chirping : any tolerably loud sound mil produce 

 a similar effect. This fact has been established by 

 modern observations on the habits of insects ; but as 

 it has been recorded by the Ettrick Shepherd, in his 



* Page 349, ed. 1837. 



