THE LANGUAGE OF ANIMALS.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1
• Srp.,—Mock anger seems to be rather common among birds. There is in them, when caged, some suppressed excitement, or fury, especially in the spring. Every one who knows a parrot, knows that a perfectly reciprocal fondnas is no protection against his bite. The one I know bites his best friend deeply, and roars with laughter. The little birds use a kind of flirta- tion of defiance with the overwhelming power of those they know intimately. A skilled bird-tamer, I believe, puts his hand into the cage, and when the bird moves, withdraws it hurriedly, as if in fear. This invites the bird to a contempt which becomes the foundation for familiarity ; and the device is founded, I suppose, on that adventurous and provocative spirit in the bird which prompted the bullfinches to scold and bully the master whose favours they value. Does a puppy bark and snap in play in something like the same temper ?
I might mention a goldfinch I know, which, I think, never fails to distinguish its partial mistress from all others, by an outburst of swearing and ruffling.—I am, Sir, &c.,
31 Gordan Square, April 23rd. P. N. WAGGETT.
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