174 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CII. XXXI. 



others of the same species who may be wheeling 

 about at a greater distance at once see by his man- 

 ner of flight and other signs that he has made some 

 discovery, and immediately follow in the same 

 direction, in order that they may come in for their 

 share. 



In like manner, when one wild duck has found 

 out a quantity of corn, laid down in any particular 

 place, he soon brings others to the spot, and these 

 again give information to others, until at length 

 large flocks collect to feed on what was originally 

 discovered by a single bird. I do not mean to 

 infer that they can communicate to each other by 

 any bird-language the existence and locality of the 

 prize found ; but they all go to the spot attracted 

 by the manner of flight of the first discoverers, which 

 doubtless tells their companions most plainly that 

 they are winging their way directly towards a depot 

 of food, and not going forth on a vague and uncer- 

 tain search. 



The clamour and noise of crows when they find 

 a prize tell the tale at once to all within hearing , 

 and not to those of their own kind only, but to all 

 ravens or rooks in the neighbourhood. 



In the same manner birds communicate alarm 

 and warning, not only to those of their own species, 

 but also to others. Often has the cry of a crow. 



