13 APRIL 1951, Page 5

Various bits of information have reached me regarding com- munication

between animals. I am grateful for them, but so far they have not carried the matter much further. One story is interesting. Some years ago, it seems, the B.B.C. broadcast the voices of various kinds of dogs and asked for news of any responses. Among the listeners was a Dalmatian, who exhibited nothing but complete boredom till a dog of his own breed took the air ; then he displayed every sign of violent excitement. Dogs are alleged to reserve one kind of bark for the arrival of strangers, another for the advent of a cat, and so on, and a growl from one small dog is said to be recognised by one among several bitches as meant particularly for her. I rather feel that command of a range of barks ought to be able to achieve more than this.