-St. Bonaventure, Life of St Francis of Assisi 5

“Another time when he was walking with a friar through the marshes of Venice, he came upon a large flock of birds singing among the reeds. When he saw them, he said to his companion: "Our sisters the birds are praising their Creator; so we should go in among them and chant the Lord’s praises and the canonical hours." When they had entered among them, the birds did not move from the place; and on account of the noise the birds were making, they could not hear each other saying the hours. The saint turned to the birds and said: "Sister birds, stop singing until we have done our duty of praising God!" At once they were silent and remained in silence as long as it took the friars to say the hours at length and to finish their praises. Then the holy man of God gave them permission to sing again. When the man of God gave them permission, they immediately resumed singing in their usual way.”