How Animals Talk 



ficult of approach, partly because the constant 

 motion of leaves or grass upsets them, and partly 

 (in the case of animals) because their noses are at 

 fault, the air messages being constantly broken 

 up and confused. But such a "sensible" explana- 

 tion, suitable as it may be for times or places, no 

 longer satisfies me, and simply because it does not 

 explain why on a quiet day game should be uncon- 

 cerned in presence of one hawk or wolf, and take 

 to instant flight on the appearance of another 

 enemy of the same species. 



It should be noted here that these "fierce" 

 birds and beasts are no more savage in killing 

 grouse or deer than the grouse is savage in eating 

 bugs, or the deer in seeking mushrooms at the 

 proper season; that they simply seek their natural 

 meat when they are hungry, and that they are not 

 bloodthirsty or ferocious or wanton killers. Only 

 men, and dogs trained or spoiled by men, are open 

 to that charge. The birds and beasts of prey when 

 not hungry (which is a large part of the time, since 

 they feed but once a day or sometimes at longer 

 intervals) live as peaceably as one could wish. 

 After feeding they instinctively seek to be with 

 their own kind and very rarely attempt to molest 

 other creatures. At such times, when they are 

 resting or playing or roving the woods, the smaller 

 wood folk pay no more attention to them than to 



[160] 



