92 INSTINCTIVE BEHAVIOUR 
the margin, so far that its struggles took it down the bank 
instead of back into the nest. As it was getting late, and the 
cuckoo did not immediately set to work on the other nestling, 
I replaced the ejected one and went home. On returning 
next day, both nestlings were found dead and cold, out of the 
nest.” * Here we have a definite account by an eye-witness, 
who sketched the young cuckoo, which was naked, blind, and 
could scarcely hold up its head. And her account, itself con- 
firmatory of that given by Jenner in 1778, is confirmed by that 
of Dr. John Hancock,t who witnessed the ejection of a fledg- 
ling hedge-sparrow, which “was put over the edge of the nest 
exactly as illustrated by Mrs. Blackburn.” The procedure is 
unquestionably instinctive. 
The sounds uttered by young birds are sufficiently definite 
to be readily recognized and are susceptible of classification. 
In domestic chicks at least six notes may be distinguished. 
First the gentle “peeping ” note, expressive of contentment. 
A further low note, a double sound, seems to indicate extremé 
satisfaction and pleasure. Very characteristic and distinct is 
the danger-note—a sound difficult to describe, but readily 
recognized. If a humble-bee, a black-beetle, a big worm, a 
lump of sugar-anything strange and largish—be thrown to 
the chicks, this danger-note is at once heard ; and it serves 
to place others on the alert, though this is perhaps the out- 
come of experience. Then there is the cheeping sound, 
expressive apparently of a state of mild dissatisfaction with the 
present state of affairs. It generally ceases when one throws 
some grain, or even stands near them. Extreme dissatisfaction 
is marked by a sharper, shriller squeak, when one seizes them 
against their inclination. Lastly, there is the shrill cry of 
greater distress, when, for example, their swimming powers are 
subjected to critical examination. With pheasants a gentle, 
“peeping ” note of contentment, a shriller cry of distress, and 
a danger-note, generically like, but specifically distinct from, 
* «Birds from Moidart and Elsewhere,” p. 107. Edinburgh : Douglas. 
+ Transactions of Northumberland and Durham Natural History Society, 
vol. viii., p. 213, 
