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As soon as the cock that keeps watch stands still, and, throwing

back and holding motionless his bill, and inclining to one side

his head with its red comb, that he may the more easily aim at

the heavens with his eye, perceives a hawk hanging beneath the

clouds, he calls the alarm: at once the hens take refuge in this

garden-even the geese and peacocks, and the doves in their sudden

fright, if they have not time to hide beneath the roof.

Now no enemy was to be seen in the sky, but the summer sun was

burning fiercely; from it the birds had taken refuge in the grove

of grain: some were lying on the turf, others bathing in the

sand.