Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24

Miss Sterling was house hunting. and while
standing in Of the rooms of a vacant
house, planning certain things and hum
ming softly to myself" she writes, "a
shadowy something caught my eye, and L
discovered a little mouse very young evil
IDENTIFY, then another and another, until four
were near. l did not attribute this tame
Ees.i to music and, in surprise, turned to
see If there were others about. Instantly
they scampered off, my action having
frightened them.
When l finally arrived at the conclusion
that music had attracted them, | sat down
and began to hum this time with an open
sound instead of a closed one. In a second
the little creatures were out again, stand
ing perfectly still, if the song gave them
delight. Gradually l sweled the tone, and
yet they were undisturbed until ] became
too bold and gave clear, sharp. full sound,
and this al once frightened them.
Il experimental in this way for more
than month never missing my audience
once, and by this time my little creatures,
grown fat and bold as to cause serious
damage, were ruthlessly caught and killed. -
celebrated vfoltnist, once told me that,
owing to his poverty. he had been com
PEELED, at one period of his life, to dwell in
old and dilapidated house which fairly
swarmed with rats. He noticed that these
animals were peculiarly susceptible to
minor chords or to composition played In
minors, and that quick, lively music would
bring them forth from their lurking places
10 great numbers. A few abrupt dissonant
chords would, Invariably, send them sour
ryfnG to their holes"
A violinist of Louisville, KY. Mr.. Karl
Benedik informed me that he repeatedly
noticed that several mice, which lived In
his room. were Influenced by the music of
his violin. In experimenting with them he
discovered that when he played an an
dante movement pianissimo they appeared
to listen with pleasure; but when he played
an allegro in quick tempo and forte, they
would Immediately run away.
The legend OF the Pied Piper of Hamlln
Isl by no means confined to Europe. 1t APP
pears. In some form or other, in the myths
and folk lore tales of certain Asiatic races;
of the Tagols and Dyaks. and of several
tribes of the Malayan archipelago, thus
showing that almost everywhere mice and
rats are found people have noticed that
they are Influenced by music
Quail Sought Out Singers.
This paper does not especially deal with
these natural musicians, the birds, insects
and frogs, whose songs constitute so much
of the esthetic in nature; but the following
instance of the love of music in bird is so
unique that l will relate it in detail just
as It was told me by a prominent attorney
of my city.
This gentleman, early in life, lived in the
country, and on one occasion, succeeded In
rearing two quail from eggs placed be-
meath a brooding barn-yard hen. These
birds grew to maturity, and became SO
tame they ran about the premises with the
utmost freedom. They seemed 10 ENJOY
the caresses of the children and other
members of the household.
My Informant has musical tastes, as have
the other members of his family conse-
quently 1t was their custom to give nightly
concerts I'VE were in the habit said ne,
'of going to the stile, some distance from
the house and there singing to the accom-
paniment of the violin and guitar
THE quail roasted on dresser in the
kitchen but as soon as the music began
laf4 al flew
no matter how late in the night 1t might
be- and there they would stay, perched
on the shoulders of the musicians. until
the concert was over: they would then re-
turn to their roost in the kitchen. They
seemed to be passionately fond of the
singing voice, and would seek out singer.
wherever he she might be. whenever
they heard the sound of singing
A Spider and an organist.
One day while listening to the organist
of the First Presbyterian Church of this
city, 1 saw spider descend and hang
from It's silken strand just above the hands
of the performer. The organist was pay
ing the tender and appealing second move
ment of Chopin's ''Marche Funebre," and
the spider. as was afterward demonstrated
by experiment was completely enthralled
by the music. Vioi' amour, flute and vox
humane stops were being used, and the
character of the tones was low and melo-
dious.
The musician suddenly dropped his hands
to the great organ, and burst into one of
Guilmants loud and brilliant marches.
All parts of the great instrument were cou-
pled-diapason, bourbon pedals and all
and the music poured from the pipes in
thunuerous peals. fairly racking and shak-
Ing the walls of the church. The spider at
once turned and rapidly mde its way to
the ceiling.
The following day 1 experimental with
this same insect and discovered that such
compositions as "Traumarei." the Cradle
Song the intermezzo of "Cavailerta Rus
hcana." when played pianissimo, would
always entce 1t from Its den In the ceiling,
while loud. bravura music would send 1t
scurrying back TO it's lurking place.
Prof. Reclaim of Leipsic, during concert
at one of the theaters. saw spider descend
and hang just above the orchestra while
violin solo was being rendered. AS soon.
however. as the other instruments Joined
in the insect rapidly assembled to the cell
ing When the violin resumed its solo the
spider came down again, but only TO run
away when the full band chimed in In sup
port of the violin.
The Musie-Loving Lycosid.
One summer not long ago a large black
iycosid had its den in my piano. This
spider evinced musical discrimination in
remarkable manner. Whenever I played
lullabies. or rather low. nelodious cempo-
sitions. the insect would come out on the
music rack and seemingly listen with much
enjoyment. But whenever l executed loud
marches or rollicking ragtine songs the
creature would plainly show that it was
hot pleased 1t would run here and there
over the music rack. its palpi vibrating SO
rapidly that they could hardly be seen. and
would finally disappear within the piano.
whence II could only be drawu by return
to a different kind or music.
Again. on one occasion. was confined 70
my room by illness for four or five weeks.
During my enforced confinement I became
we'll acquainted with another lycosid which
lived beneath table. This spider learned
to know me personally. for when the
servants or other visitors entered the room
she would Immediately run to her den be-
meath the table But whenever / came In
after taking my constitutional In the hall
she would run out on the table and wait
till I gave her a fly or other insect. She
would take her food from my fingers, and
would even make her toilet while perched
upon the back of my hand
ExperimT sation with this spider showed
that she, possessed musical discrimina-
ton in q marked degree. / used the paper