Most of our song-birds have three notes expressive of love,
alarm, and fellowship. The last call seems to keep them in
touch with one another. I might perhaps add to this list the
scream of distress which most birds utter when caught by a cat
or a hawk--the voice of uncontrolled terror and pain which is
nearly the same in all species--dissonant and piercing. The
other notes and calls are characteristic, but this last is the
simple screech of common terrified nature. (Text.)--JOHN
BURROUGHS, _Country Life in America_.
(247)
See DARKNESS, INFLUENCE OF.
=Birds=--See CRUELTY TO BIRDS.
=Birds, Resemblances of, to Men=--See HUMAN TRAITS IN BIRDS.