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 hirundines, and bids them be aware that the hawk is at
hand. Aquatic and gregarious 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
clamour 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 the infinite
variety of the feathered nation. We shall therefore confine the
remainder of this letter to the few domestic fowls of our yards,
which are most known, and therefore best understood. At 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.
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