200 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 
from the dusk till daybreak, serenades his mate with the 
clattering of castanets. All the tuneful Passeres express their 
complacency by sweet modulations, and a variety of melody. 
The swallow, as has been observed in a former letter, by a 
shrill alarm bespeaks the attention of the other Wzrundines, and 
bids them be aware the hawk is at hand. Aquatic and grega- 
rious birds, especially the nocturnal, that shift their quarters 
in the dark, are very noisy and loquacious; as cranes, wild- 
geese, wild-ducks, and the like; their perpetual clamor prevents 
them 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 of the feathered nation. We shall there- 
fore 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 birds, his 
notes are grating and shocking to the ear: the yelling of cats, 
and the braying of an ass, are not more disgustful. The voice 
of the goose is trumpet-like, and clanking; and once saved the 
Capitol at Rome, 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 approach, her note becomes earnest 
and alarming, and her outcries are redoubled. 
