THE PHILOSOPHY OF BIRDS' NESTS. 221 



goldfinch which he saw at Knighton in Radnorshire, and 

 which sang exactly like a wren, without any portion of 

 the proper note of its species. This bird had been 

 taken from the nest at two or three days old, and had 

 been hung at a window opposite a small garden, where 

 it had undoubtedly acquired the notes of the wren 

 without having any opportunity of learning even the 

 call of the goldfinch. 



He also saw a linnet, which had been taken from the 

 nest when only two or three days old, and which, not 

 having any other sounds to imitate, had learnt almost 

 to articulate, and could repeat.the words "Pretty Boy," 

 and some other short sentences. 



The Rev. W. H. Herbert made similar observations, 

 and states that the young whinchat and wheatear, 

 which have naturally little variety of song, are ready in 

 confinement, to learn from other species, and become 

 much better songsters. The bullfinch, whose natural 

 notes are weak, harsh, and insignificant, has never- 

 theless a wonderful musical faculty, since it can be 

 taught to whistle complete tunes. The nightingale, on 

 the other hand, whose natural song is so beautiful, is 

 exceedingly apt in confinement to learn that of other 

 birds instead. Bechstein gives an account of a redstart 

 which had built under the eaves of his house, which 

 imitated the song of a caged chaffinch, in a window 

 underneath, while another in his neighbour's garden 

 repeated some of the notes of a blackcap, which had a 

 nest close by. 



These facts and many others which might be quoted, 



