Sense of Hearing in Birds and Insects

Abstract

IN respect to “The Sense of Hearing in Birds,” the habit of pattering with the feet while seeking food, which is common to many worm-eating birds, seems to preclude the idea that such birds at least depend to any great extent upon their powers of hearing. Gulls frequently tread or patter with their feet while seeking food. The object being clearly to discover, from some slight movement, the whereabouts of their hidden prey. Plovers, doubtless with the same object, vibrate one foot rapidly with tremulous motion on the ground. Now the plover is essentially a worm-catching bird, more so even, probably, than the thrush. Light-footed, active yet stealthy in its movements, quick-sighted, and certainly quick of hearing, the plover, when feeding, runs a little way, like the thrush, then stops, with head erect, looking intently; listening it might well be thought but for the tremulous motion of its foot. The plover, at such time, trusts without doubt to sight and not to its sense of hearing.