On another time, when he was walking with a certain Brother through the Venetian marshes, he chanced on a great host of birds that were sitting and singing among the bushes. See- ing them, he said unto his companion: "Our sisters the birds are praising their Creator, let us too go among them and sing unto the Lord praises and the canonical Hours." When they had gone into their midst, the birds stirred not from the spot, and when, by reason of their twittering, they could not hear each the other in reciting the Hours, the holy man turned unto the birds, saying : "My sisters the birds, cease from singing, while that we render our due praises unto the Lord." Then the birds forthwith held their peace, and remained silent until, having said his Hours at leisure and rendered his praises, the holy man of God again gave them leave to sing. And, as the man of God gave them leave, they at once took up their song again after their wonted fashion. -- The life of Saint Francis by Saint Bonaventura c. 1270 page 89
Giotto di Bondone, St. Francis Preaching to the Birds, 1297 – 1299.