232 
THE NATURAL HISTORY 
[LETT. 
sometimes in the gaiety of their hearts to sing, but with no 
great success ; the parrot-kind may have many modulations of 
voice, as appears by their aptitude to learn human sounds ; 
doves coo in an amorous and mournful manner, and are emblems 
of despairing lovers ; the woodpecker sets up a sort of loud and 
hearty laugh ; the fern-owl, or goat-sucker, from the dusk till 
daybreak, serenades his mate with the clattering of castanets. 
All the tuneful |;as.5<3re5 express their complacency by sweet 
modulations, and a variety of melody. The swallow, as has 
l)een observed in a former letter, by a shrill alarm bespeaks the 
attention of the other IdruiuUncs, and l)ids them be aware that 
the hawk is at hand. Aquatic and gregarious birds, especially 
the nocturnal, that sliift tlieir quarters in the dark, are very 
lioisy and loquacious ; as cranes, wild-geese, wild-ducks, and the 
klvc : tlieir perpetual clamour prevents tliem from dispersing 
and losing their companions. 
In so extensive a subject, sketches and outlines are as much 
as can be expected ; for it would be endless to instance in all 
their infinite variety the notes of the feathered nation. I 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 l)irds, his 
notes are grating and shocking to the ear : tlie yelling of cats, 
and the braying of an ass, are not more disgustful. The voice 
of the goose is tiiimpet-like, and clanking ; and once saved the 
Capitol at Kome, 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 struts and gobbles to 
his mistress in a most uncouth manner ; he hath also a pert and 
petulant note when he attacks his adversary. When a hen 
turkey leads forth her young brood she keeps a watchful eye ; 
and if a bird of prey appear, though ever so high in the air, the 
careful mother announces the enemy with a little inward moan, 
and watches him with a steady and attentive look ; but, if he 
