Crake near the Orchard. 219 
without special powers of that kind, ventriloquial 
effects would, I think, be produced by the peculiar 
habits of the bird. When that which causes a sound 
is out of sight it must always be difficult to fix upon 
the exact spot whence the sound comes. When the 
sound is made now here, now yonder, as the bird 
travels swiftly—still out of sight—it must be still more 
difficult. The crake doubtless often cries from a fur- 
row, which would act something like a trough, tending 
to draw the sound along it. Finally the incessant 
repetition of the same note, harsh and loud, confuses 
the ear. 
Some say in like manner that the starling ventri- 
loquizes. He has, indeed, one peculiar long-drawn 
hollow whistle which goes echoing round the chimney- 
pots and to and fro among the gables; but it never 
deceives you as to his position on the roof unless you 
are indoors and cannot see him. It is the same with 
the finches in the trees, when the foliage is thick. 
Their notes seem to come from this side among the 
branches, but on peering carefully up there is no bird 
visible ; then it sounds higher up, and even in the 
next tree ; all the while the finch is but just overhead, 
and the moment he moves he is seen. Other birds 
equally deceive the ear: the yellowhammer does 
sometimes, and the chattering brook-sparrow ; so will 
the blackbird when singing—always provided that 
they are temporarily invisible. 
When the crake remains a long time in one place, 
