THE VOICE OF ANIMALS 21 
peculiar, deep-toned and rumbling noise that 
arises from the throat, and when pleased it 
will emit a most absurdly soft, squeaking 
sound through the trunk that reminds one 
of the notes produced by the toy animals 
associated with the nursery of our youth. 
The voice of cattle calls for no special 
comment except in the case of the yak which, 
instead of lowing and bellowing in the usual 
bovine manner, gives expression to a series 
of grunting calls, for which reason the animal 
is often spoken of as the grunting ox. 
Of the many species of rodents, the house 
mouse frequently displays considerable ability 
as a vocalist, certain individuals, known as 
“ singing mice,” being able to modulate their 
voices to an extraordinary degree. It is 
reported that a specimen kept by a lady as 
a pet was able to run up an octave when 
singing, and that it would often finish its 
vocal performance with a trill. When thus 
engaged it would vibrate and inflate its throat 
in the manner of a bird in song, and usually 
assume an upright posture upon its hind 
feet. 
Hailing from South America is a little 
rodent called by the name of the tuco-tuco. 
It is entirely subterranean in habits, and 
remarkable for its voice. Mr. Hudson writes 
