56 NATURAL HISTORY 



petual clamour prevents them from dis- 

 persing and losing their companions. 



In so extensive a subject, sketches and 

 outlines are as much as can be expected : 

 for it vs^ould 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 

 Rojne, 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 discernible. The cock turkey 



