224 EVOLUTION OF BIRD-SONG 



MIMICRY OF THE STONECHAT 



This bird also mimics, but not so well as many 

 other birds. Its song is weak, and its phrases are 

 not longer than those of the redstart. I have heard 

 it many times reproduce nearly the whole of the 

 song of the yellow bunting, also the song of the 

 common bunting, and part of that of the chaffinch. 

 I have only heard a very few of these birds sing. 



MIMICRY OF THE BLACKBIRD 



The blackbird is about as good a mimic as the 

 blackcap. An observer must be fairly close to either 

 of these birds in order to make out its imitations ; 

 for these, in either species, are rarely uttered in the 

 full tones of the ordinary songs. The blackbird has 

 been known to crow like a cock, and flap his wings 

 at the same time. I have heard a blackbird at 

 Tortworth, Glos., imitate repeatedly the cry which 

 I am informed is that of the golden plover. I have 

 also heard these birds reproduce cries of the green- 

 finch, blackcap, wood - warbler, nuthatch, peewit, 

 swallow, great tit, green woodpecker, goldfinch, and 

 magpie. Mr. F. A. Chambers, of The Elms, Stroud, 

 informs me that when staying with friends at a 



