ORGANS OF VOICE. 
75 
discovered, took to its heels ; and in an instant the 
cries of the Sparrows ceased, and the whole party 
dispersed. 
It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader of 
the language so well known in the poultry-yard. 
The cluck of the Hen, when she calls her chickens 
together; her shriek, if a Hawk is seen flying over 
the brood, and the rapid rush of chickens under her 
wings ; and her cackle of pride or pleasure, when she 
announces to the whole farm -yard the important 
fact of her having laid an egg. Even a young 
chicken has a power of language easily understood. 
Take, for instance, one of four or five days old, and 
hold it up to a window where there are flies, and it 
will immediately seize them, with a little twittering 
note of pleasure; hut if a wasp or a bee is placed 
before it, at once its note becomes harsh, expressing 
its dislike as well as fears. 
Nobody can doubt, who sees a bird singing, clap- 
ping its little wings, turning from side to side, and 
glancing its bright eyes in all directions, as if court- 
ing attention and admiration, that it feels delight 
and satisfaction. Did we require further proof, we 
have but to recollect that the song bird is most on 
the alert with the music of his voice, when its 
affection and interests are awakened by attention to 
its mate, during the time of rearing its young. The 
male may then be generally seen on some twig or 
bough, at no great distance from the nest ; in most 
cases becoming silent, if aware of a stranger’s ap- 
proach, or exchanging the note of pleasure, for 
another of anger or complaint, which too often pro- 
duces the very evil it dreads. Thus, the Nightingale, 
