OF SELBORNE. 257 



observed in a former letter, by a shrill alarm, bespeaks the 

 attention of the other Hirundincs, and bids them be aware 

 that the hawk is at hand. Aquatic and gregarious birds, 

 especially the nocturnal, that shift their quarters in the dark, 

 are very noisy and loquacious, as cranes, wild geese, wild 

 ducks, and the like; their perpetual clamour prevents them 

 from dispersing and losing their companions. 



In so extensive a subject, sketches and outlines are as 

 much as can be expected, for it would be endless to instance 

 in all the infinite variety of the feathered nation. We shall 

 therefore confine the remainder of this letter to the few 

 domestic fowls of our yards, which are most known and 

 therefore best understood. And first the peacock, with his 

 gorgeous train, demands our attention ; but, like most of 

 the gaudy birds, his notes are grating and shocking to the 

 ear : the yelling of cats, and the braying of an ass, are not 

 more disgustful. The voice of the goose is trumpet-like, and 

 clanking; and once saved the Capitol at Rome, as grave 

 historians assert: the hiss also of the gander is formidable 

 and full of menace, and " protective of his young." Among 

 ducks the sexual distinction of voice is remarkable ; for while 

 the quack of the female is loud and sonorous, the voice of 

 the drake is inward and harsh, and feeble, and scarce dis- 

 cernible. The cock turkey struts and gobbles to his mistress 

 in a most uncouth manner; he hath also a pert and petulant 

 note when he attacks his adversary. When a hen turkey 

 leads forth her young brood she keeps a watchful eye ; and 

 if a bird of prey appear, though ever so high in the air, the 

 careful mother announces the enemy with a little inward 

 moan, and watches him with a steady and attentive look ; 

 but, if he approach, her note becomes earnest and alarming, 

 and her outcries are redoubled. 



No inhabitants of a yard seem possessed of such a variety 

 of expression and so copious a language as common poultry. 

 Take a chicken of four or five days old, and hold it up to a 

 window where there are flies, and it will immediately seize 

 its prey, with little twitterings of complacency; but if you 

 tender it a wasp or a bee, at once its note becomes harsh 

 and expressive of disapprobation and a sense of danger. 



S 



