THE ALLIGATOR OF THE ANTILLES. 



479 



newt swims, or the esox cleaves the flood ; but at this time it may 

 be seen firmly standing on its fore feet. This is the attitude of anger 

 and attack, and its spring is quick, a sort of agile leap, by no means 

 short in distance. During all this time of protection and dependence 

 is heard the voice, by which the young makes its wants known, and 

 the parent assures its offspring of its superintendence. It is the 

 yelping bark of the dog, and the whining of the puppy. 



From all these facts, I take it, that when the sound of the dog's 

 bark is heard, the caimans press to the spot from which it issues, 

 agitated by two several passions, the females to protect their young, 

 and the males to devour them ; and to this, and not to their predilection 

 for dog-meat, are we to ascribe the eagerness with which they scud 

 away, agitated by that voice, which in the one case is the thrilling 

 cry of danger, and in the other the exciting hope of food. 



This susceptibility to be excited by hearing a cry associated with 

 peculiar instincts and appetites, has other parallels in other animals. 

 A very striking analogy is to be found in Wilson's anecdote of the 

 cat bird. 



" In passing through the woods in summer," says this distinguished 

 ornithologist, te I have sometimes amused myself with imitating the violent 

 chirping or squeaking of young birds, in order to discover what different 

 species were around me; for such sounds at such a season in the woods are 

 no less alarming to the feathered tenants of the bushes, than the cry of fire 

 or murder in the streets to the inhabitants of a large and populous city. On 

 such occasions of alarm and consternation, the cat bird is first to make his 

 appearance, not singly, but sometimes half a dozen at a time, flying from 

 different quarters to the spot. At this time, those who are disposed to play 

 with his feelings, may almost throw him into fits, his emotions and agitation 

 are so great at the distressful cries of what he supposes to be his suffering 

 young. Other birds are variously affected, but none show symptoms of such 

 extreme suffering. He hurries backwards and forwards, with hanging wings 

 and open mouth, calling out louder and faster, and actually screaming with 

 distress, till he appears hoarse with his exertions. He attempts no offensive 

 means ; but he bewails, he implores, in the most pathetic terms with which 

 nature has supplied him, and with an agony of feeling which is itself affecting. 

 Every feathered neighbour within hearing hastens to the place, to learn the 

 cause of the alarm, peeping about with looks of consternation and sympathy 

 But their own powerful parental duties and domestic concerns soon oblige 

 each to withdraw. At any other season, the most perfect imitations have no 

 effect whatever on him/' — Wilson's American Ornithology. 



The alligator swims with scarce conceivable velocity. * * * I once 



