How Animals Talk: And Other Pleasant Studies of Birds and Beast

A collection of naturalist observations written in the early 20th century. The book explores the nuances of communication among various animal species, emphasizing the rich and often unspoken ways animals interact with one another and with humans. Long aims to illuminate the emotional and instinctual language of animals, encouraging a deeper understanding of their behaviors and interactions. The opening of the text introduces readers to the concept of animal communication through a charming anecdote about two dogs. The narrator observes a little terrier, Nip, fervently trying to persuade an older setter, Don, to assist him in cornering a woodchuck. Their silent exchanges—touching noses and wagging tails—spark a reflection on the types of communication animals share, some of which may be perceived as telepathic. The chapter sets the tone for an exploration of how animals convey messages beyond mere sounds, hinting at a complex fabric of instinctual understanding that bonds them with each other and their human observers.