SONGS OF BIRDS. 
355 
commonly supposed; certainly we see in that season 
a great many couples, having an evident intimacy 
and friendship, as also a great many collections of 
of three, four, or five, formed to all appearance on 
the score of friendly combination. With regard 
therefore to the “ winter assembling” of birds, if 
scarcity of food does not cause all birds to 
congregate according to their kind; if migration does 
not induce all species to unite in companies during 
that eventful undertaking; if the better discernment 
of food and eligible situations for feeding be a very 
questionable result of combinations; if danger and 
want seem rather to be consequent on this act; if 
quarrels respecting food occur in apparently united 
companies; if combinations occur as well in the 
season of plenty as in that of want; if birds 
instinctively unite on the occurrence of sudden 
danger; if we find that they render mutual aid when 
misfortune has assailed them; if cold and necessity 
ordinarily cause some kinds to unite and others 
only when these are unusually severe; if families 
commonly remain associated through the winter; 
if small temporary associations are frequent occur¬ 
rences at that period; and if combinations of 
incongruous kinds take place; then, notwithstanding 
that combinations traceable to harmony of feeling, 
and desire of society do not appear in all species, 
and in many only at times, we are drawn to the 
conclusion that these gatherings depend on the 
sentiment of friendship, alliance, and mutual 
commiseration. 
Songs of Birds .—The sounds proceeding from 
the tribe of birds, from the simplest monosyllabic 
utterance to the protracted and highly executed 
song, should be classed together; and a pretended 
separation of the latter from all other kinds of vocal 
sounds be regarded as extremely arbitrary. There 
is found every intermediate step between the harsh 
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