OF SELBORNE. 
241 
hmana, and reducible by a pitch-pipe to a mufical key. This 
note feems to exprefs complacency and rivalry among the males : 
they life alfo a quick call and an horrible fcream ; and can 
fnore and hifs when they mean to menace. Ravens, befides their 
loud croak, can exert a deep and folemn note that makes the 
woods to echo ; the amorous found of a crozu is ftrange and 
ridiculous; rooks, in the breeding feafon, attempt fometimes in the 
gaiety of their hearts to fing, but with no great fuccefs ; the 
parrot-k\nd. have many modulations of voice, as appears by their 
aptitude to learn human founds ; doves coo in an amorous and 
mournful manner, and are emblems of defpairing lovers ; the 
zvoodpecker fets up a fort of loud and hearty laugh ; the fern-ozvl, 
or goat-fucker, from the dufk till day-break, ferenades his mate 
with the clattering of caftanets. All the tuneful pajfercs exprefs 
their complacency by fweet modulations, and a variety of me- 
lody. The fzvallow, as has been obferved in a former letter, by 
a fhrill alarm befpeaks the attention of the other hirmidhies, and 
bids them be aware that the hawk is at hand. Aquatic and gre- 
garious birds, efpecially the no6lurnal, that fliift their quarters in 
the dark, are very noify and loquacious ; as cranes, wild-geefe, 
wild-ducks, and the like : their perpetual clamour prevents them 
from difperfing and lofing their companions. 
In fo extenfive a fubje(ft, flcetches and outlines are as much as 
can be expefted ; for it would be endlefs to inftance in all the 
infinite variety of the feathered nation. We flrall therefore confine 
the remainder of this letter to the few domeftic fowls of our yards, 
which are moft known, and therefore beft underftood. And fiifl 
the peacock, with his gorgeous train, demands our attention ; but, 
like moft of the gaudy birds, his notes are grating and fliocking 
to the ear : the yelhng of cats, and the braying of an afs, are not 
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