cture of the organs of each species
enabling them more easily to produce the notes of their own species,
than those of any other, and from the notes of their own species being
more agreeable to their ears. These conditions, joined to the facility
of hearing the song of their own species, in consequence of frequenting
the same places, determine the character of the acquired language of the
feathered tribes.--_Fleming._

Why are birds equally dispersed in spring over the face of the country?

Because, during that amorous season, such a jealousy prevails between
the male birds, that they can hardly bear to be seen together in the
same hedge or field. Most of the singing and elation of spirits, of that
time, seem to be the effect of rivalry and emulation.--_G. White._

Why is August the most mute month, the Spring, Summer, and Autumn
through?

Because many birds which become silent about Midsummer, reassume their
notes in September; as the thrush, blackbird, woodlark, willow-wren,
&c.--_G. White._

Why do birds congregate in hard weather?

Because, as some kind of self-interest and self-defence is, no doubt,
their motive, may it not arise from the helplessness of their state in
such rigorous seasons; as men crowd together, when under great
calamities, they know not why? Perhaps approximation may dispel some
degree of cold; and a crowd may make each individual appear safer from
the ravages of birds of prey and other damages.--_G. White._

Why do we so often fail in rearing young birds?

Because of our ignorance of their requisite food. Every one who has made
the attempt, well knows the various expedients he has resorted to, of
boiled meats, bruised seeds, hard eggs, boiled rice, and twenty other
substances that Nature never presents, in order to find a diet that will
nourish them; but Mr. Montagu's failure, in being able to raise the
young of the curl-bunting, until he discovered that they required
grasshoppers, is a sufficient instance of the manifest necessity there
is for a peculiar food in one period of the life of birds.--_Knapp._

Why have most noctural birds large eyes and ears?

Because large eyes are necessary to collect every ray of light, and
large concave ears to command the smallest degree of sound or noise.

Why do stale eggs float upon water?

Because, by keeping, air is substituted for a portion of the water of
the egg, which escapes.--_Prout._

Why has the breast-bone of all birds which fly, a