240 E VOL UTION OF BIRD- SONG 



still and silent, and to look and listen to the wild- 

 birds, which, as soon as they lose their fear, will 

 impart to him some knowledge of their family 

 secrets. He requires neither gun nor bag for 

 carrying homeward any slain or captives : a field- 

 glass, and a piece of waterproof cloth to sit upon, 

 are all his equipment. The fields, trees, and hedges 

 amongst which he moves will supply abundant 

 incidents for investigation, and will amuse him with 

 many a pretty scene from the infinite drama of 

 nature. The reader who will take advantage of the 

 opportunities thus afforded for observation will, I 

 feel sure, arrive at the conviction that the evidence 

 here adduced has been correctly stated, and that 

 my conclusions are thereby justified. 



