[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
have no hesitation in saying that when bullfinches gape, hiss, and flutter their wings to those they like, as mentioned by Mr. Cobb, they do so as expressive of affection or thanks, and not at all as "swearing." I have often been amused at this characteristic from a long acquaintance with them. As I approach them with a tit-bit, they thus salute me, and take it from my hand with kisses. It is true they go through the same performance when enraged, except the kissing; but there is nothing at all unusual in all this, if we remember that the play of most animals is a close imitation of their challenge and combat. In spite of its apparent identity, I can hear the temper of the bullfinch in its voice, just as easily as I can tell whether my dog be vexed or pleased by his bark ; yet these differences are not distinguishable by a strange ear. These differences in tone are well understood by the respective species, and we learn to understand them from familiarity with individuals. If it be true that a musician can strike a given note on a piano with a score of different expressions, surely a bird's eloquence is not less limited.
If play be generally mimic war, may not all kissing (in- cluding that of animals) be the "survival" of biting P—I am, Sir, &c.,
Previous page
