HEN MUSIC. 
ATE one night, as I chanced near the hennery with 
a light, I was rewarded by an exquisite exhibition 
of the communicative ability of our domestic fowls. 
The hens moved on their perches, when the rooster 
spoke, rousing them still more. Stepping back, I soon 
heard a little sound, high and “exceeding fine,” with a 
deceiving ventriloquous quality. Long spun, and then 
bent down in a graceful descent of the interval of a sixth, 
it terminated in a more decided tone, a peculiar tremor 
something less than a trill, and died away in a beautiful 
diminish. 
This model example in pianissimo practice and in the 
art of holding the breath proved to come from one of the 
hens; and though the exact tones are here represented, 
no idea can be conveyed of the unique, perfect perform- 
ance. The quieting effect on the family was instantaneous ; 
not another move or peep. The descent noted is similar 
to that made by the screech-owl. The intervals are iden- 
tical ; but the hen slides down with an oily smoothness, 
while the owl, as elsewhere shown, comes trembling, 
shivering down. 
